Production

Corn production is forecast at 9.28 billion bushels, virtually unchanged from last year but up 26 percent from 1995. Based on August 1 conditions, yields are expected to average 125.3 bushels per acre, down 1.8 bushels from a year ago. Acreage for harvest is estimated at 74.0 million acres, up 1 percent from 1996.

All cotton production is forecast at 17.8 million bales, down 6 percent from 1996. Yield is expected to average 637 pounds per acre, down 70 pounds from last year. Producers planted 13.9 million acres this year, 5 percent less than one year ago. Harvested acreage is estimated at 13.4 million acres, up 4 percent due to the large abandonment in Texas last year. Alabama's abandoned acreage is estimated at 100,000 acres, due to early season heavy rainfall and the effects of hurricane Danny in late July. Cool temperatures in May and June throughout most of the cotton belt, delayed development of the crop. The dryland crop in the Plains of Texas had ample moisture throughout the season, and development is ahead of average.

Soybean production is forecast at a record 2.74 billion bushels, up 15 percent from 1996 and 9 percent above the 1994 record year. Yield is forecast at 39.3 bushels per acre, 1.7 bushels above last year, but 2.1 bushels below the record yield in 1994. Area for harvest is estimated at 69.8 million acres.

All wheat production is placed at 2.53 billion bushels, up 4 percent from the last forecast and 11 percent more than in 1996. The U.S. yield is now forecast at 39.9 bushels per acre. This is up 1.6 bushels per acre from last month to a new record high.

The final winter wheat production forecast is 1.86 billion bushels, up 4 percent from last month and 26 percent higher than 1996. The U.S. yield is forecast at a record high 44.6 bushels per acre. This is up 1.8 bushels from July 1. Grain area was not changed from last month.

Hard red winter wheat production is up 5 percent from july due to higher yields in Kansas, Oklahoma and Nebraska. The Kansas yield is a new record high as is the Kansas production. Soft red winter, at 470 million bushels, is also up from a month ago and is the most since 1990. Illinois and Missouri growers have harvested record high yields. The Ohio average equals the current record. Michigan's yield is also a new record. White winter production is up from last month due to improved yield prospects in all three Pacific Northwest states.

Durum wheat production is forecast at 90.2 million bushels, up 11 percent from last month, but still well below last year. August 1 conditions in the northern Durum states have increased yield expectations in the Dakotas and Montana. The U.S.yield is now forecast at 28.1 bushels per acre, up 2.9 bushels per acre from July 1.

Other spring wheat production is forecast at 585 million bushels, up 3 percent from a month ago. Based on August 1 conditions, the U.S. yield is forecast at 31.3 bushels per acre. This is 0.9 bushels per acre better than July 1. There were no area changes. Hard Red Spring production is up 3 percent from July at 528 million bushels. White Spring production is up 1 percent.

			Area Planted 		Area Harvested 
Crop 		1996 		1997 		1996 		1997 

				    1,000 Acres

Corn		79,487		80,227		73,147		74,049
Sorghum		13,188		10,268		11,901		 9,512
Oats		 4,661		 5,264		 2,687	 	 3,222
Barley		 7,174		 6,769		 6,787		 6,397
All Wheat	75,639		70,767		62,850		63,495
 Winter		51,983		48,342		39,709		41,583
 Durum		 3,620		 3,270		 3,546		 3,208
 Other Spring	20,036		19,155		19,595		18,704
Soybeans	64,205		70,850		63,409		69,816
All Cotton	14,633.5	13,905.0	12,868.1	13,409.5
 Upland		14,375.5	13,655.0	12,612.2	13,160.5
 Amer-Pima	   258.0	   250.0	   255.9	   249.0
Cottonseed					61,029		60,807
Sugarbeets	 1,368.4	 1,464.8	 1,323.3	 1,438.5
Sugarcane for
 Sugar and Seed					   888.9	   895.0

Crop And Unit			1996		1997
Corn for Grain (bu)		127.1		125.3
Sorghum for Grain (bu)		 67.5		 66.2
Oats (bu)			 57.8		 58.1
Barley (bu)			 58.5		 59.4
All Wheat (bu)			 36.3		 39.9
 Winter (bu)			 37.2		 44.6
 Durum (bu)			 32.7		 28.1
 Other Spring (bu)		 35.1		 31.3
Soybeans for Beans (bu)		 37.6		 39.3
All Cotton (bales)-X		707		637
 Upland (bales)-X		701		628
 Amer-Pima (bales)-X		991		1,068
Sugarbeets (ton)		 20.2		 20.6
Sugarcane for
 Sugar and Seed (ton)		 33.1		 33.0

				July 1,		August 1,
Crop and Unit 			1996 		1997 		1997 
Corn for Grain (bu)		9,293,435			9,275,870
Sorghum for Grain (bu)		  802,974			  629,299
Oats (bu)			  155,225	  182,672	  187,127
Barley (bu)			  396,851	  371,778	  380,015
All Wheat (bu)			2,281,763	2,430,746	2,530,534
 Winter (bu)			1,478,048	1,780,554	1,855,474
 Durum (bu)			  115,840	   80,927	   90,155
 Other Spring (bu)		  687,875	  569,265	  584,905
Soybeans for Beans (bu)		2,382,364			2,744,451
All Cotton (bales)-X		   18,942.0	   		   17,782.5
 Upland (bales)-X		   18,413.5	   		   17.228.5
 Amer-Pima (bales)-X		      528.5			      554.0
Cottonseed (ton)		    7,143.5
Sugarbeets (ton)		   26,680			   29,688
Sugarcane for
 Sugar and Seed (ton)		   29,462			   29,546

Extended coverage below not found in the print edition.

Crop Moisture

Depicts short-term (up to about 4 weeks) abnormal dryness or wetness affecting Agriculture, responds rapidly, can change considerably week to week, and indicates normal conditions at the beginning and end of the growing season.

Uses–Applicable in measuring the short-term, week-to-week, status of dryness or wetness affecting warm season crops and field operations.

Limitations–May not be applicable to germination and shallow rooted crops which are unable to extract the deep or subsoil moisture from a 5-foot profile, or for cool season crops growing when temperatures are averaging below about 55 degrees fahrenheit. It is not generally indicative of the long-term (months, years) drought or wet spells which are depicted by the drought severity index.

Drought Severity

Drought Severity Index (Palmer): Depicts prolonged (months, years) abnormal dryness or wetness; responds slowly; changes little from week to week; and reflects long-term moisture runoff, recharge, and deep percolation, as well as evaportranspiration.

Uses–Applicable in measuring disruptive effects of prolonged dryness or wetness on water sensitive economies; designating disaster areas of drought or wetness and reflecting the general long-term status of water supplies in aquifers, reservoirs, and streams.

Limitations–Is not generally indicative of short- term (few weeks) status of drought or wetness such as frequently affects crops and field operations (this is indicated by the crop moisture index).

Extremely dry and occasionally hot weather in the central Corn Belt highlighted a month of extremes. Farther east, the remnants of Hurricane Danny charted a slow but steady course from July 17-25, joining with a slow-moving front to soak the Southeast and ease dryness in parts of the Mid-Atlantic region. Nevertheless, drought continued to develop in most areas from northern Virginia to southern New England. Meanwhile, monsoonal rains arrived across the High Plains and West late in the month, easing drought in some areas but causing flash flooding. On the northern Plains, an usually strong early-month storm delivered heavy rainfall, boosting topsoil moisture. However, drier-than- normal conditions returned thereafter, permitting the winter wheat harvest to advance but stressing summer crops. Farther south, the central Plains' winter wheat harvest wound down with few interruptions.

Monthly temperatures averaged 2 to 4 degrees F below normal across the interior West, and up to 2 degrees F above normal in the Southeast. From July 1-7, cool air overspread the Western and Central states in the wake of the strong early-month storm, setting nearly 100 daily-record lows and several July records. A welcomed shot of cool air arrived across the Midwest and East at month's end, resulting in more than two dozen daily records. In between, highs soared into the middle 90's to near 100 degrees F on July 13-18 and 25-28 across parts of the Midwestern and Middle Atlantic states.

From central Missouri to central Indiana, rainfall as little as 0.50 to 1.00 inch and the aforementioned periods of hot weather stressed corn and soybeans entering and progressing through reproduction. In Indiana, Indianapolis' rainfall of 0.55 inches (12 percent [%] of normal) was their lowest July total since 1914. In addition, a maximum of 99 degrees F on July 27 was their highest since July 14, 1995. Other central Corn Belt stations reporting less than 1 inch included the Illinois cities of Peoria (0.90 inches; 21% of normal) and Springfield (0.89 inches; 25%). In eastern Iowa, only 1.52 inches (37% of normal) dampened Cedar Rapids. Youngstown, OH experienced a record-dry July, receiving only 0.65 inches (16% of normal).

In contrast, very heavy rain soaked the upper Mississippi Valley. In Minnesota, Minneapolis received 12.60 inches, their second-highest July total, fueled by daily-record amounts on July 1 (2.85 inches), 17 (3.71 inches), and 22 (2.69 inches). Rochester, MN absorbed 9.01 inches, their fourth-highest July total and greatest since 1981. Heavy rain fell as far south and east and Des Moines, IA, where a calendar-day, July-record total of 4.45 inches fell on the 24th.

Hurricane Danny crossed the mouth of the Mississippi River on the night of July 17-18, producing a northeasterly wind gust to 95 mph on Grand Isle, LA. The hurricane's sustained winds increased to 80 mph on the 19th as it battered Dauphin Island, AL and wobbled into Mobile Bay. The Dauphin Island Sea Lab clocked a wind gust to 86 mph and recorded 36.71 inches of rain, 25.98 inches of which fell in 7 hours late on July 19. Major flooding struck southern Alabama, where up to 27.00 inches of rain fell. The Fish River near Silverhill crested 3.5 feet higher than the previous record, set on June 9, 1989. Mobile, AL netted 10.06 inches on 19th and a storm total of 13.04 inches, boosting their monthly rainfall to 18.52 inches, their third- highest July total. Danny's storm tides topped 5 feet in a few locations, peaking at 6.54 feet just east of Gulf Shores, AL. During the same period (July 16-19), a slow-moving, non-tropical disturbance dumped as much as 4 to 10 inches of rain on northern Oklahoma and southern Kansas.

Moisture-laden Danny eventually proceeded into northern Alabama by July 22 as a tropical depression before turning northeastward. Meanwhile, a cold front drifted southward into the Middle Atlantic region, sparking additional heavy rains. On July 23, Charlotte, NC collected 6.88 inches, breaking their 24-hour rainfall record of 5.46 inches, set on October 10-11, 1990. Danny re-intensified while approaching the coast on July 24, producing wind gusts to 58 mph in Elizabeth City, NC and 61 mph at Cape Henry, VA. On the afternoon of July 25, Tropical Storm Danny passed about 15 miles southeast of Nantucket Island, MA, packing wind gusts as high as 70 mph. En route to coastal New England, Danny helped to produce single-day, July- record rainfalls in Newark, NJ (3.54 inches) and New York's Central Park (3.75 inches).

However, significant rainfall missed many areas from northern Virginia to southern New England, helping to hold monthly rainfall as low as 1.14 inches (30% of normal) in Washington, DC, 1.34 inches (35%) in Scranton, PA, and 0.63 inches (22%) in Boston, MA. In Williamsport, PA, rainfall for the first 7 months of the year slipped to 56% of normal. Portland, ME ended the month with 13 consecutive rainless days, their longest such streak since August 7-26, 1995. Meanwhile in parts of Texas, conditions suddenly turned dry. For the fourth time on record and the first time since 1993 only a trace of rain fell during July in both Brownsville and San Antonio. Despite the short-term dryness, the area was spared from excessive heat; San Antonio's maximum of 99 degrees F on July 30 was their highest of the year to date. The last time San Antonio's temperature failed to reach 100 degrees F during a calendar year was 1979.

Farther west, mid-month heat presaged the arrival of monsoonal moisture. In Arizona, Tucson's maximum of 110 degrees F on July 15 was their highest since July 29, 1995. On July 20, a plume of tropical moisture helped to spark a 1.61-inch rainfall in 31 minutes at Billings, MT. During the last week of July, localized heavy downpours battered the High Plains and interior West. On July 28, as much as 8 to 10 inches of rain overwhelmed the Spring Creek basin in Ft. Collins, CO. Preliminary data indicated that the nearby Cache la Poudre River at Ft. Collins rose 4.79 feet (flow increased 2,869 cubic feet per second) on the day of the flood. The next evening, intense rainfall struck locations such as Amarillo, TX (2.80 inches in 39 minutes) and Colorado Springs, CO (2.02 inches in 34 minutes). On July 30, Denver, CO (2.71 inches) endured their heaviest 24-hour rainfall ever in July. And in Phoenix, AZ, a 117-day streak without measurable rainfall–their sixth longest on record–ended on July 30.

The early part of July featured a spring-like storm and an unusually cool outbreak. The storm intensified rapidly across the northern Plains on July 1, reaching southeastern Canada 2 days later. Monthly record minima were established in Ely, NV (28 degrees F on July 1), Alamosa, CO (30 degrees F on July 2), North Platte, NE (39 degrees F on July 4), Kansas City, MO (51 degrees F on July 5), and International Falls, MN (34 degrees F on July 7). In Williston, ND, a 4.82-inch rainfall on July 1 boosted their monthly total to 6.62 inches, 75% of their year-to-date total. Non- thunderstorm winds in the storm's wake gusted to 61 mph in Chamberlain, SD and 52 mph in Worthington, MN. Sixteen tornadoes raked Michigan, however, on July 2, a state single-day record. A day later, additional severe thunderstorms ripped through interior New England. Two weeks later, adverse weather returned to New England in the form of heavy rain. Flooding occurred in northern Vermont as July 13-15 rainfall topped 6 inches in some locations.

Warm (temperatures up to 5 degrees F above normal), dry weather prevailed in much of Alaska. One exception was the southeast, where Juneau tallied a July-record total of 10.36 inches (249% of normal). But in McGrath, where temperatures averaged 5 degrees F above normal, rainfall totaled just 0.40 inches (20% of normal) and smoke was observed on 29 days. By August 1, more than 70% of the United States' year-to-date burned acreage of 2.18 million acres (about 3,400 square miles) was in Alaska. Meanwhile in Hawaii, temperatures averaged slightly above normal and heavy rain fell in windward (east-facing) areas, including 19.37 inches (199% of normal) in Hilo.

Drier, warmer weather in July allowed farmers across the United States to cultivate fields and apply fertilizer and pesticides. Sunshine and warmth early in the month promoted rapid crop growth throughout the Corn Belt. Progress of corn and soybeans took a dramatic jump in the middle of July that corresponded to the jump in planting progress earlier in the spring. By the end of the month, both corn silking and soybean setting pods were ahead of last year and the average. Lack of moisture began to stress the crops as the month progressed, but temperatures turned cooler at month's end to moderate the stress slightly. Crop conditions remained good in areas that received moisture, but conditions declined in fields only a few miles away that missed the scattered showers.

After a slow start in June, winter wheat harvest progressed rapidly in July due to generally warm, dry weather in the major winter wheat-producing states. Harvest in the southern Plains and Southeast finished by mid-month, slightly ahead of average. In the northern Plains and Northwest, harvest progressed behind the normal pace until the end of the month, when dry, sunny weather allowed farmers into ripe fields. Timely showers along the Northern Tier states provided enough moisture for spring small grain development to catch up after late planting. Spring wheat and barley completed heading ahead of last year and the average. Late-month cool, wet weather in North Dakota promoted the development of head and foliar diseases. Oats were harvested at the average national pace. Spring wheat and barley harvest was just underway by month's end.

Torrential rains along the path of Hurricane Danny's remnants may have caused damage to some fields in the Southeast, but most crops benefitted from the much-needed moisture. Cotton fields developed ahead of normal in the western cotton-producing states, but Southeastern fields progressed behind normal. Progress was well ahead of normal in California and Arizona as seasonable temperatures provided good growing conditions. Toward the end of the month, the cotton acreage in Missouri and Texas showed signs of moisture stress. Cotton, peanut, and rice fields benefited from showers along the Gulf and southern Atlantic Coasts at the end of the month. Peanut and rice fields developed behind the normal pace.

The nation's sorghum crop progressed near normal for most of the month. Areas in the central Plains and Corn Belt showed signs of moisture stress toward the end of the month. Persistant dryness stressed both crops and pastures throughout the middle Atlantic Coast states and eastern Ohio Valley.

Corn

Acreage planted to corn is estimated at 80.2 million acres, unchanged from the June estimate but up 1 percent from last year. Acreage for harvest is estimated at 74.0 million acres, up 30,000 acres from June, and up 1 percent from 1996. Wisconsin increased harvested acreage by 50,000 due to good weather conditions. Virginia decreased harvested acreage by 20,000 due to adverse weather conditions. No other adjustments were made to harvested acreage at this time.

The August 1 corn objective yield data indicate a record level stalk count for the seven objective yield states (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio, and Wisconsin). Corn was planted ahead of last year but cool temperatures early in the season slowed development. Warm temperatures in late July increased the growing degree days and pushed silking ahead of the average. Because of these growing conditions, current and potential ear development will be better known as growth occurs.

Yield for the 34 states without an Objective Yield Survey is forecasted at 111.3 bushels per acre down from 117.0 in 1996. These states account for 28 percent of 1997 production as compared to 30 percent in 1996. Eighteen states are showing a decrease in yield, fifteen are showing an increase, and one is showing no change from 1996. States with decreasing yields from 1996 make up 59 percent of the 34 state total and average a yield of 105 bushels. Hot and dry weather conditions have reduced the yield on dryland corn.

Winter Wheat

The Illinois, Missouri, and North Carolina soft red winter harvests are complete. Indiana and Ohio growers are nearly done. The Michigan harvest is winding down; record yields are expected. Kentucky growers finished harvesting mid-July and realized better than expected yields. Objective Yield Survey head counts are at near-record high levels in the three states (Illinois, Missouri, and Ohio).

Hard Red Winter

Objective yield head count forecasts remained at record highs in Oklahoma and Texas, and are well above average in Kansas. Harvest is complete in these three states. Colorado and Nebraska's winter wheat harvests are nearly done. Montana is moving along rapidly, but the South Dakota harvest trails normal progress. There heavy rains have caused lodging in of the fields.

Idaho and Oregon growers now expect even higher yields, with the Idaho number equaling last year's record mark. Washington's Objective Yield Survey head count forecast is about the same as last month. Harvest progress trails average in all three states.

Durum Wheat

The North Dakota Durum crop is developing ahead of both last year and the 5-year average. Combining was just underway as of August 3. Some hail damage was reported in the northwest. Objective yield survey head counts are the lowest since 1989. July rains improved yield prospects in Montana's Durum production region.

Other Spring Wheat

Wet weather is slowing the South Dakota harvest. Except for a portion of the dryland crop, all of Washington's spring wheat is rated in good to excellent condition. Harvest progress trails 1996 and is well behind average. As of late July, North Dakota Hard Red Spring wheat was developing ahead of last year and the average. Disease and weed pressures do exist.

Objective Yield Survey data shows plant populations at a record high level in Minnesota. The Montana and North Dakota counts are average.

Soybeans

Acres planted to soybeans at 70.9 million acres are unchanged from the June 1 estimate. Growers plan to harvest 69.8 million acres, virtually the same as the June 1 forecast.

In the eight major soybean producing states, the average planting date was two weeks ahead of the last two years and comparable to the 1994 planting season. Plant maturity is well ahead of 1996 in the major producing states. Fields in the Southeast progressed slightly behind last year and the five year average due to late plantings. Average number of lateral branches is up from last year with Indiana showing the only decrease.

As of August 3, the percent of soybeans blooming was 81 percent compared 66 percent during the same period last year and a five year average of 73 percent. In Ohio, blooming was ahead of last year by 49 points and 8 points ahead of the five year average. Soybeans percent blooming in Illinois and Indiana were 31 points ahead of last year. The percent of beans setting pods was 38 percent as of August 3, compared to 25 percent during the same period last year last year. Overall, soybeans were in mostly good to fair condition.

Cotton

Upland cotton plantings, at 13.7 million acres, are down 5 percent from the previous year. However, harvested acreage increased 4 percent to 13.2 million acres, due to the large abandonment last year in Texas. American-Pima planted and harvested acreages decreased by 3 percent from last year to 250,000 acres and 249,000 acres, respectively.

Texas' irrigated fields are showing good progress this season, and unusually high amounts of rainfall in May caused the dryland acreage to develop ahead of the average pace. Squaring was about 10 points ahead of average and on August 3, 71 percent of the cotton fields were setting bolls, which was 11 points above the 5-year average. In the Plains, heavy rain and hail during June damaged fields and forced producers to replant, or plant alternative crops. In early August, some fields were showing stress from lack of moisture. Harvest pace increased gradually in the Coastal Bend and Rio Grande Valley. On August 3, 53 percent of the Texas acreage was rated in good to excellent condition, and 35 percent was in fair condition. Data from the objective yield survey show fruit counts as the sixth highest since 1987.

The Delta states (Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee) rated most of their cotton acreage in fair to good condition in early August, with about 40 percent of the Arkansas and Louisiana crop in good condition and 60 percent of Mississippi's crop in good condition. Only 3 percent of the Arkansas crop was rated in excellent condition, while 7 percent of Louisiana's crop and 8 percent of Mississippi's crop was excellent. The planting pace in this region, lagged behind the average due to wet soils and because other row crops were being planted, but seedings were completed in early June. Precipitation was above normal and caused concern about proper root development. Another concern was the cooler than normal temperatures that prevailed during the early season, slowing crop development. In early July, squaring percentages were well behind the average, and in late July Mississippi was 9 points behind average, while Missouri and Tennessee were 8 and 5 points behind average, respectively. However, Arkansas and Mississippi boll set was slightly above average on August 3, at 97 percent and 95 percent respectively. Dry July weather in Missouri caused the crop's boll set to be 8 points behind average on this same date, and condition of the crop continued to deteriorate. On August 3, 31 percent of Missouri's acreage was rated as very poor to poor.

During the first week of August, 81 percent of Arizona's crop was in good to excellent condition. Early planting approval was again granted in Arizona to lessen effects of whitefly, and the crop also benefitted from good weather. Boll set was 98 percent complete on August 3, equal to last year and 1 point above average. All of California's crop was in good to excellent condition on the same date, and boll set, at 90 percent, was equal to the 5-year development pace. California's seeding pace was well ahead of average most of the season as warm, dry weather prevailed. Soil crusting in the Fresno area caused some replantings. Data from objective yield plots indicate California's count of large bolls are the fifth highest and small bolls are the sixth highest since 1987.

In the Southeastern states (Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina), the planting pace was behind average early in the season, but a dry period in mid-May allowed producers to exceed the average pace. Early June storms in Georgia and Alabama replenished soil moisture and improved crop condition. Many fields in Georgia and Alabama were replanted due to seedling disease, cool temperatures causing poor stands, and soil crusting from the heavy rains. Alabama was subject to unusual heavy rainfall during the season, as well as the cool temperatures. Hurricane Danny entered into the southwestern portion of the state in late July with torrential rains, and added to the crop's deterioration. On August 3, Alabama's crop was rated at 11 percent very poor, 20 percent poor, and only 4 percent was in excellent condition. On this same date, sixty-six percent of Georgia's crop was in good to excellent condition, 68 percent of the North Carolina crop and 79 percent of South Carolina's crop was in good to excellent condition.

American-Pima production is forecast at 554,000 bales, up 5 percent from 1996's output. Yield is indicated at 1,068 pounds per harvested acre, up 77 pounds from last year. Arizona yields are down 60 pounds from last year, at 792 pounds. California yields are 1,174 pounds, up 76 pounds from 1996's crop. Arizona's condition is rated at slightly above average, and the development varies according to the time of planting. The California crop experienced virtually ideal growing conditions in June and July, with development nearly two weeks ahead of normal. However, lygus bug pressure caused significant square shedding on some of the acreage in the San Joaquin Valley. The Texas crop has also progressed with irrigation and hot temperatures.

Ginnings totaled 2,200 running bales prior to August 1, compared with 48,150 running bales ginned to the same date last year and 16,650 running bales in 1995.

Sugarbeets

Production for the U.S. is expected to total 29.7 million tons, an increase of 11 percent from 1996. Area for harvest, at 1.44 million acres, is down slightly from the June “Acreage” report but up 9 percent from last year. The average yield, at 20.6 tons per acre, is 0.4 tons above last year's yield.

Cool, wet weather early in the spring resulted in excess soil moisture in several sugarbeet-producing states. However, a dry July helped development in most areas. Despite excess rain in some areas of North Dakota, dry weather in July has allowed fields to dry out and sugarbeets have slowly improved as a result. Hence, North Dakota growers remain optimistic about this year's sugarbeet crop. In Colorado, crop development was mostly favorable until heavy rains at the end of July flooded some fields, which may not be harvested. Wyoming experienced a wet spring, however hot, dry weather during the summer pushed crop development ahead of the average pace. Harvest in California has been progressing normally across the state for the past three weeks.

Sugarcane

Sugarcane production for sugar and seed is expected to total 29.5 million tons, a fractional increase from 1996. The area for harvest, at 895,000 acres, is down slightly from the June “Acreage” report and up 1% from last year. Forecasted yield, at 33.0 tons per acre, is 0.1 ton below the 1996 yield.

In Louisiana, the 1997 sugarcane crop is expected to set a production record. Favorable weather, increased plantings of a new, high yielding variety and increased usage of a new, more efficient mechanical combine harvester have boosted yield prospects. Growth in Louisiana was exceptional during July because of timely rains and hot weather. However, growers could not lay-by a few fields in time because of too much rain and those fields are weedy. Florida sugarcane growers expect to harvest about the same size crop as in 1996. Thus far, there have been no major problems with the crop. Wet conditions slowed sugarcane harvest in Hawaii, but as yet have not affected production. Irrigation water supplies were a concern in Texas as July was very dry.

Coffee

Hawaii coffee production is estimated at 6.4 million pounds for the 1996- 97 season, up 19 percent from the previous season and the largest harvest since the 1966-67 crop of 8.04 million pounds. Production increased on the islands of Maui, Molokai, Oahu, and Kauai. Production on the island of Hawaii decreased, however, due to a dry spring which caused an unusually high number of dried or underdeveloped coffee fruit.

X"Yield in pounds.

August 12, 1997 Agricultural Statistics Board

NASS, USDA, Washington, D.C.

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