NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL SUMMARY
AGRICULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS: Freezing temperatures in Florida damaged citrus and vegetable crops. Heavy rains caused some erosion to grain fields in the Pacific Northwest. Dry conditions prevail in the southern Great Plains.
SMALL GRAINS: Mild temperatures reduced the snow cover on wheat in the western half of the Nation, with no moisture received in the already dry southern Great Plains. Growth in Kansas was limited by cool nights, but the condition of wheat remained generally good. More surface moisture is needed in western and central Kansas where some growers are already irrigating their acreages. Crops in western Oklahoma and Texas continue to deteriorate; over 3/4 of the Oklahoma wheat is in only fair to poor condition. Continued warm temperatures in Colorado could cause winter wheat to break dormancy too early in the season. Warm temperatures reduced the snow cover in Montana, but the soil was not absorbing the runoff.
Heavy rains caused some erosion to wheat fields in Washington and Oregon, with water standing in many low-lying Oregon fields. Warm weather accelerated small grain emergence and growth in California and Arizona, but some wheat and barley reseeding is expected in California.
Fall-seeded grains are wintering well in the Corn Belt. Along the Atlantic Coast little winter damage has occurred to date and grains are in good condition. In the south-central part of the Nation moisture is adequate and grain prospects remain good.
OTHER CROPS: Wet fields continue to plague Arkansas growers in their attempts to complete harvesting last years cotton and soybean crops. Plowdown of cotton fields is active in California and Arizona. Planting of Irish potatoes got underway in Alabama and Louisiana. The Florida crop was damaged by the frost, but most acreage should recover. Mild weather was favorable for the marketing of Idaho potatoes.
Cool wet weather limited preparation of tobacco plant beds in North Carolina, but bed work Was about completed in south-central Georgia. Burley markets are beginning to close in Kentucky. Sugar beets are showing good growth in California and Arizona. Safflower is being planted in the Southwest.
Fruits and Nuts: Florida temperatures were well below normal for the week, with some record-low temperatures set throughout Florida on January 20 and 21. This was the most severe freeze of the 1970-71 season and the worst Florida freeze since December 1962. Most citrus areas were below freezing January 20 and 21 with light to hard ice in some fruit, however, no loss determination can be made at this time, Citrus growers in California are back harvesting their navel orange crop with some freeze damage showing up. Frost damage is also showing on lemons and avocados.
Warm dry weather also aided the picking of oranges and other citrus crops in Arizona. Orchardmen in the Atlantic Coast States and the Pacific Northwest are pruning and caring for their trees as weather permits.
Vegetables: Reduced supplies of winter vegetables are in prospect from Florida as the January 20 and 21 freeze caused moderate to severe damage to some crops, Sweet corn was severely damaged and many other commodities will also have to be reseeded or transplanted. Most commodities are available in variable supplies with cabbage, tomatoes and celery leading in shipments. Large supplies of cabbage, carrots and lettuce are available from South Texas with moderate to light supplies of other commodities available. Farther west, in the Salt River Valley of Arizona, harvest is near its seasonal volume. Shipments from California are mostly tight to moderate with supplies increasing as weather permits. The cold spell caused practically no damage to South Carolina vegetables.
PASTURES AND LIVESTOCK: Warm temperatures gave a welcome break to livestock herds in the western half of the Nation and reduced the need for supplemental feeding. However, ice-covered ranges are making grazing difficult in a few States with muddy feedlots making it difficult for stockmen to feed cattle in some northern regions. Pastures in the Southwest continue to deteriorate as dry conditions prevail. Ranchers in Texas are selling older cows as they try to minimize winter expenses. Hay and roughage supplies are generally adequate in the South and East and should last through the winter season. Pastures in the South are about average for this time of year with most farmers also providing feed from storage for their animals.
Calving, lambing, and farrowing made good progress during the week with no unusual death losses. The toxic weed "Halogeton" killed about 1,200 sheep in Utah.
Steve Pscodna
Agricultural Statistician
