Washington, D.C. Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin Released August,, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS),, U.S. Department of Agriculture. For information on call Julie Schmidt at () -, office hours : a.m. to : p.m. ET. National Weather Summary August -, Highlights: Locally heavy rain across the eastern half of the nation contrasted with mostly dry conditions in the West. Meanwhile, chilly conditions across the northern and central Plains and the western Corn Belt held weekly temperatures as much as degrees below normal. Hot weather prevailed, however, in the Northeast, Northwest, and drought-stricken southern Texas. Weekly readings averaged up to degrees above normal in New England. West of the Rockies, warmth promoted Northwestern wheat harvesting and development of summer crops such as rice and cotton. Toward week s end, scattered showers in the Southwest provided limited relief from a sub-par monsoon. Meanwhile, showers gradually subsided across the nation s mid-section, followed by a surge of cool air. Rainfall was heaviest, with more than inches (and local flooding) reported, in several areas from north-central Oklahoma into the mid-mississippi Valley. Despite crop developmental delays, growing conditions remained mostly favorable for corn, soybeans, and other summer crops from the central and southern Plains into the Midwest. Elsewhere, heavy rain also soaked portions of the South and East, with totals of to inches or more common from the central Gulf Coast region into the Northeast. Across the Deep South, harvest activities for crops such as corn, rice, and sorghum were slowed in some areas by wet conditions. Across the remainder of the South and East, however, conditions remained mostly favorable for pastures and immature summer crops. Early in the week, Tropical Storm Claudette quickly lost its punch after moving inland. On August, Claudette developed over the Gulf of Mexico, just south of Apalachicola, FL. Claudette made landfall early August, a few minutes after midnight local time, on the eastern end of Santa Rosa Island near Fort Walton Beach, FL. Across western Florida, among the highest winds associated with Claudette on August were gusts to miles per hour in Apalachicola and miles per hour in Destin. Apalachicola also received a daily-record rainfall (. inches) for August. Less than hours after making landfall, Claudette dissipated near the Alabama-Mississippi border. Elsewhere, early-week warmth in the East contrasted with cool conditions in the West. Toledo, ( degrees), posted a daily-record high for August, while Ely, NV ( degrees Fahrenheit), and Laramie, WY ( degrees), collected daily-record lows. On August, Rawlins, WY ( degrees), recorded its earliest first freeze during the last years (previously, August,,, and ). Cool air also arrived on the Plains, where daily records for August included degrees in Scottsbluff,, and degrees in Dodge City,. Prior to mid-week, heat shifted into the Atlantic Coast States and returned to the West. On August, Eastern daily-record highs climbed to degrees in Boston, MA, and degrees at Virginia s Dulles Airport. A day later, highs soared to record levels for August in Walla Walla, WA ( degrees), and The Dalles, OR ( degrees). Records for August included degrees in Needles,, and degrees in Omak, WA. Another surge of cool air reached the Plains toward week s end, while heat prevailed in the West. Winnemucca, NV, posted consecutive daily-record highs of degrees on August - after notching a daily-record low of degrees on August. Meanwhile in Nebraska, daily records for August included degrees in Alliance and degrees in Scottsbluff. Farther south, however, relentless heat continued across southern Texas, where McAllen s streak with highs of degrees or greater climbed to days (July -August ). Elsewhere in Texas, San Antonio recorded its rd day of -degree heat on August (previously, the annual record was days), while Corpus Christi and Victoria endured a th consecutive day (June -August ) with above-normal temperatures. In Amarillo,, a.-inch rainfall on August boosted its monthly total to. inches. Amarillo s previous August rainfall record of. inches was set in. Elsewhere on August, daily-record amounts included. inches in Kansas City,, and. inches in Fort Wayne,. Chillicothe,, netted. inches on August -, followed by as much as to inches of rain in parts of Kosciusko County,, in a -hour period on August -. Additional heavy rainfall at mid-week resulted in records for August in Duluth, (. inches), and Joplin, (. inches). More than inches of rain soaked parts of Pine County,, on August -, while Joplin s -day rainfall reached. inches. Toward week s end, locally heavy showers shifted into the East and South. New Orleans, (. inches), netted a daily-record rainfall for August, followed the next day by records in locations such as Norfolk, VA (. inches), and Trenton, NJ (. inches). In Texas, however, San Antonio was on the verge of a record-low, -year precipitation total. San Antonio received. inches from September, -August,, compared to the -year record low of. inches from August -July. We (-)
National Weather Summary provided by UA s World Agricultural Outlook Board. For more information, call () -. August NASS, UA
Agricultural Summary August August, Highlights: Dry conditions persisted for much of the country west of the Great Plains, promoting small grain harvest and summer crop development. The exceptions were locations in the Great Basin and Southwest where precipitation totals were greater than percent of normal. The eastern half of the Nation received mostly wet weather, with areas in the central Great Plains, Corn Belt, and Southeast accumulating upwards of inches of rainfall. Temperatures in the heart of the U.S. stretching down through Mississippi and Alabama were cooler than normal, with recordings as many as degrees below average in South Dakota and Nebraska. Conversely, average temperatures were above normal in the Pacific Northwest, the Southwest, through much of Texas and Louisiana, as well as eastward from the Ohio Valley up through New England and down through Florida. Corn: Nationally, percent of the corn crop was at or beyond the dough stage, points behind last year and points, or over week, behind the -year average. Cooler temperatures throughout the major corn-producing areas of the country slowed development in the crop. Development to the dough stage was over weeks behind normal in North Dakota, over weeks behind normal in Illinois, and over week behind normal in Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and South Dakota. Together, these States represent over half of the corn acreage planted for the crop season. Meanwhile, acreage at or beyond the dent stage advanced points during the week, leaving progress, at percent, points behind last year and points behind the average. Despite below average temperatures, the most rapid denting progress was evident in Kansas, where percent of the crop reached the stage during the week. Overall, percent of the crop was rated in good to excellent condition, a point improvement from last week and points better than last year. Beneficial rainfall helped to improve crop conditions across much of the Corn Belt. Soybeans: Ninety-seven percent of soybean fields were at the blooming stage or beyond, on par with the pace a year ago but points behind the -year average. Pod set was evident in percent of the crop, point behind last year and points behind the average. The biggest developmental delays were seen in the Corn Belt, where rainfall combined with cool temperatures slowed crop growth. Pod set was over weeks behind normal in Illinois and over week behind normal in Indiana and Michigan. Overall, percent of the soybean crop was rated in good to excellent condition, points better than last week and points better than a year ago. Winter Wheat: Winter wheat harvest neared completion, with producers actively reaping fields in Idaho, Montana, South Dakota, and Washington. Nationally, percent of the crop was harvested, on par with progress last year but point behind normal. Cotton: Bolls were set on percent of this year s cotton acreage, points ahead of last year but point behind the -year average. Boll set was most active in the Great Plains States of Oklahoma and Kansas, where and percent of the crop reached the stage during the week, respectively. Bolls opened on percent of the cotton acreage during the week, leaving progress, at percent, points behind last year and points behind the average. Significant delays were evident across much of the growing region following lags in boll set earlier in the season. Overall, percent of the crop was rated in good to excellent condition, down slightly from last week but points better than last year. Sorghum: Heading advanced to percent complete by week s end, points ahead of last year but points behind the -year average. Heading was complete in the Delta. The most rapid progress occurred in New Mexico where rainfall over the past weeks boosted crop conditions and encouraged head development. Acreage in the coloring stage or beyond reached percent complete, points behind last year and points behind the average. Thirty percent of the crop was mature, point ahead of last year and points ahead of normal. Crop maturity was limited to the Delta, Colorado, Missouri, and Texas. Harvest remained active in Louisiana and Texas and began in Arkansas this week. By August, twenty-seven percent of the crop was harvested, compared with percent last year and percent for the -year average. Overall, percent of the sorghum crop was rated in good to excellent condition, up points from last week but down points from a year ago. Rice: Heading advanced points during the week to percent complete by August, four points behind last year and points behind the -year average. Head development was active in all States while heading was nearing completion in Louisiana and Texas. Producers harvested percent of the Nation s crop during the week, August NASS, UA
leaving progress on par with last year but points behind the average. Harvest had yet to begin in Arkansas and Mississippi and was behind normal. Overall, percent of the rice crop was rated in good to excellent condition, down point from last week and points below last year. Small Grains: Spring wheat producers harvested percent of their crop during the week, leaving progress, at percent, points behind last year and points, or over weeks, behind normal. Harvest was most active in the Pacific Northwest and Montana, where producers had or more days suitable for fieldwork under mostly sunny skies. Overall, percent of the spring wheat crop was rated in good to excellent condition, down points from last week but points better than last year. Producers had harvested percent of their barley crop, compared with percent last year and percent for the -year average. Harvest was most active in Washington, where above average temperatures and dry conditions allowed the crop to dry down quickly. Overall, percent of the barley crop was rated in good to excellent condition, up slightly from last week and points better than last year. Oat producers harvested percent of their crop during the week. At percent, overall progress was points behind last year and points behind the -year average. The biggest lags were evident in North Dakota and Minnesota where the harvest pace was and points behind normal, respectively, following delays in seeding and crop development earlier in the season. Other Crops: Pegging advanced to percent complete, points behind last year and point behind the -year average. Adequate to surplus soil moisture levels in the largest peanut-growing areas of Alabama allowed for significant peg development during the week. Overall, percent of the peanut crop was rated in good to excellent condition, unchanged from last week but points better than last year. August NASS, UA
PA State Aug, Corn: Percent Dough, Selected States Aug, Aug, - PA State Aug, Corn: Percent Dented, Selected States Aug, Aug, - Sts These States planted % of last year's corn acreage. Sts These States planted % of last year's corn acreage. State Aug, Soybeans: Percent Blooming, Selected States Aug, Aug, - State Aug, Soybeans: Percent Setting Pods, Selected States Aug, Aug, - Sts These States planted % of last year's soybean acreage. Sts These States planted % of last year's soybean acreage. August NASS, UA
AL AZ GA SC VA State Aug, Cotton: Percent Setting Bolls, Selected States Aug, Aug, - AL AZ GA SC VA State Aug, Cotton: Percent Bolls Opening, Selected States Aug, Aug, - Sts These States planted % of last year's cotton acreage. Sts These States planted % of last year's cotton acreage. ID MT OR WA State Aug, Winter Wheat: Percent Harvested, Selected States Aug, Aug, - Sts These States harvested % of last year's winter wheat acreage. August NASS, UA
NM State Aug, Sorghum: Percent Headed, Selected States Aug, Aug, - NM State Aug, Sorghum: Percent Coloring, Selected States Aug, Aug, - Sts These States planted % of last year's sorghum acreage. Sts These States planted % of last year's sorghum acreage. NM State Aug, Sorghum: Percent Mature, Selected States Aug, Aug, - NM State Aug, Sorghum: Percent Harvested, Selected States Aug, Aug, - Sts These States planted % of last year's sorghum acreage. Sts These States harvested % of last year's sorghum acreage. State Aug, Rice: Percent Headed, Selected States Aug, Aug, - State Aug, Rice: Percent Harvested, Selected States Aug, Aug, - Sts These States planted % of last year's rice acreage. Sts These States harvested % of last year's rice acreage. August NASS, UA
PA State Aug, Oats: Percent Harvested, Selected States Aug, Aug, - Sts These States harvested % of last year's oat acreage. ID MT WA State Aug, Spring Wheat: Percent Harvested, Selected States Aug, Aug, - Sts These States harvested % of last year's spring wheat acreage. ID MT WA State Aug, Barley: Percent Harvested, Selected States Aug, Aug, - Sts These States harvested % of last year's barley acreage. August NASS, UA
PA Corn: Crop Condition by Percent, Aug, Percent Soybeans: Crop Condition by Percent, Aug, Percent Sts Sts AL AZ GA SC VA Sts Cotton: Crop Condition by Percent, Aug, Percent NM Sts Sorghum: Crop Condition by Percent, Aug, Percent VP-Very Poor, P-Poor, F-Fair, G-Good, EX-Excellent. National crop conditions for selected States are weighted based on planted acres. August NASS, UA
AL FL GA SC VA Peanuts: Crop Condition by Percent, Aug, Percent Sts Rice: Crop Condition by Percent, Aug, Percent Sts ID MT WA Sts Spring Wheat: Crop Condition by Percent, Aug, Percent ID MT WA Sts Barley: Crop Condition by Percent, Aug, Percent VP-Very Poor, P-Poor, F-Fair, G-Good, EX-Excellent. National crop conditions for selected States are weighted based on planted acres. August NASS, UA
Pasture and Range: Crop Condition by Percent, Aug, Percent Percent AL AZ CT DE FL GA ID ME MD MA MT NV NH NJ NM NY OR PA RI SC UT VT VA WA WV WY Sts VP-Very Poor, P-Poor, F-Fair, G-Good, EX-Excellent. National crop conditions for selected States are weighted based on planted acres. August NASS, UA
Crop Progress and Condition Survey and Estimating Procedures Survey Procedures: Crop progress and condition estimates are based on survey data collected each week from early April through the end of November. The non-probability crop progress and condition surveys include input from more than, reporters whose occupations provide them opportunities to make visual observations and frequently bring them in contact with farmers in their counties. Based on standard definitions, these reporters subjectively estimate progress of farmers activities and progress of crops through various stages of development. They also provide subjective evaluations of crop conditions. Most reporters complete their questionnaires on Friday or early Monday morning and submit them to the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Field Offices in their States by mail, telephone, fax, e-mail, or through a secured internet website. A small number of reports are completed on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Regardless of when questionnaires are completed, reporters are asked to report for the week ending on Sunday. For reports submitted prior to the Sunday reference date, a degree of uncertainty is introduced by projections for weekend changes in progress and condition. By the end of the season, nearly two-thirds of the data were being submitted through the internet website. As a result, about one-half of all data are submitted on Monday morning, significantly reducing projection uncertainty. Reporters are sent written reporting instructions at the beginning of each season and are contacted periodically to ensure proper reporting. Terms and definitions of crop stages and condition categories used as reporting guidelines are available on the NASS website at: www.nass.usda.gov/publications/national_crop_progress/terms_definitions.asp. Estimating Procedures: Reported data are reviewed for reasonableness and consistency by comparing with data reported the previous week and data reported in surrounding counties for the current week. Each State Field Office summarizes the reported data to district and State levels, weighting each county s reported data by NASS county acreage estimates. Summarized indications are compared with previous week estimates, and progress items are compared with earlier stages of development and historical averages to ensure reasonableness. Weather events and reporter comments are also taken into consideration. State estimates are submitted to the (ASB) along with supporting comments, where they are compared with surrounding States and compiled into a National level summary by weighting each State by its acreage estimates. Revision Policy: Progress and condition estimates in the Crop Progress report are released after : pm ET on the first business day of the week. These estimates are preliminary and subject to corrections or updates in the Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin that is released after : pm ET on the second business day of the week. These estimates are subject to revision the following week. Crop Progress and Condition tables expected next week: Barley Harvested, Condition Corn Dough, Dented, Mature, Condition Cotton Setting Bolls, Bolls Opening, Condition Oats Harvested Pasture & Range Condition Peanuts Condition Rice Headed, Harvested, Condition Sorghum Headed, Coloring, Mature, Harvested, Condition Soybeans Setting Pods, Dropping Leaves, Condition Spring Wheat Harvested, Condition August NASS, UA
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