Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin ISSN: Released November 2, 2010, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). National Weather Summary October 24 - 30, 2010 Highlights: One of the Nation's strongest low-pressure systems on record created far-reaching impacts, including snow in the Dakotas, wind damage in the eastern Corn Belt, and beneficial rain in the Southeast. In the Southeast, widespread 1- to 4-inch rainfall totals aided drought-stressed pastures and aided newly planted (or soon to be planted) winter grains. However, rain largely bypassed Florida's peninsula and the western Gulf Coast region. Farther north, rain, snow, and high winds temporarily halted late-season harvest efforts in the Midwest. In the eastern Corn Belt, however, light to moderate rain boosted topsoil moisture for winter wheat establishment. Other Midwestern storm impacts included wind damage to barns and other farm infrastructure in the central and eastern Corn Belt, and livestock stress and rural travel disruptions due to wind-driven snow in parts of the Dakotas and eastern Montana. Meanwhile, little or no precipitation fell on the central and southern Plains, increasing stress on pastureland and leaving many winter wheat fields in need of moisture to ensure proper autumn establishment. However, dry conditions also favored harvest activities for crops such as cotton, peanuts, and sorghum. Elsewhere, cool, stormy conditions gradually subsided across the northern two-thirds of the West. By week's end, drier weather and a Western warming trend promoted winter grain development and a return to fieldwork. The low-pressure system over the north-central United States broke State pressure records on October 26 in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Preliminary information indicated that the storm's minimum pressure fell to 28.21 inches (955.2 millibars) in Bigfork, Minnesota, breaking the State record (28.43 inches, or 962.7 millibars) established in Albert Lea and Austin on November 10, 1998. In Wisconsin, a minimum pressure of 28.39 inches (961.3 millibars) in Superior edged the standard (28.45 inches, or 963.4 millibars) set in Green Bay on April 3, 1982. On October 26-27, wind gusts of 50 to 70 miles per hour were common across the northern Plains and the Midwest. Specific gusts included 67 miles per hour in Pierre, South Dakota; 64 miles per hour in Fargo, North Dakota; 63 miles per hour in Appleton, Wisconsin; and 62 miles per hour in Alexandria, Minnesota. With a daily average wind speed of 31.1 miles per hour on October 27, Rochester, Minnesota, experienced its second-windiest day on record, behind 31.5 miles per hour on April 3, 1982. Rochester also set a 2-day wind speed record, with an October 26-27 average of 29.8 miles per hour (previously, 22.6 miles per hour on October 9-10, 1993). In addition, severe thunderstorms raked the central and eastern Corn Belt and parts of the Southeast. Including a severe weather outbreak across the South that preceded the major storm system, there were nearly 100 tornadoes and more than 600 reports of wind damage across the Midwest, South, and East from October 24-27. On October 26 alone, there were more than four dozen tornadoes spotted across a 10-State area. Storm-total snowfall reached a foot or more in the vicinity of the International Peace Garden and Lake Metigoshe in north-central North Dakota, while official October 26-27 totals included 4.1 inches in Williston, North Dakota; 3.4 inches in Bismarck, North Dakota; 1.7 inches in Mobridge, South Dakota; and 1.2 inches in Glasgow, Montana. Warmth prevailed in advance of the record-setting storm. Temperatures frequently topped 90 degrees Fahrenheit across the Deep South, with daily-record highs being set in locations such as Del Rio, Texas (99 degrees Fahrenheit on October 25); Monroe, Louisiana (94 degrees Fahrenheit on October 27); and Orlando, Florida (92 degrees Fahrenheit on October 26). McAllen, Texas (95, 96, and 94 degrees Fahrenheit), posted three consecutive daily-record highs from October 25-27. Elsewhere in Texas, Houston (94 degrees Fahrenheit on October 27) tied a record for its latest reading above 90 degrees Fahrenheit (previously, 91 degrees Fahrenheit on October 27, 1995). Houston also recorded 36 consecutive days without measurable rain (September 22 - October 27), before 0.02 inch fell on October 28. It was Houston's longest dry spell since 1963, when there was a 36-day streak without measurable rain from September 20 - October 25. In Corpus Christi, Texas, monthly rainfall of just 0.01 inch represented its driest October since 1952, when no rain fell. Meanwhile in Florida, Jacksonville completed its first dry October on record. Not even a trace of rain dampened Jacksonville, where the October record had been 0.08 inch in 1909. Harrison, Arkansas (0.26 inch), also noted its driest October on record, edging the 1989 standard of 0.28 inch. Impressive rains soaked parts of the West early in the week as the powerful low-pressure system began to take shape. October 22-25 precipitation totals locally topped 10 inches in the Sierra Nevada foothills and the coastal range of northwestern California. In the Great Basin, Elko, Nevada (1.63 inches on October 24), experienced its wettest day since September 5, 1978, when 2.25 inches fell. Snowfall totals of 1 to 2 feet were common from the Cascades to the northern Rockies, with October 24-26 totals topping 30 inches in Oregon at Timberline Lodge and Mt. Hood Meadows. Meanwhile, beneficial rain fell early in the week in the Southeast, where Greenville, Mississippi (2.77 inches), collected a daily-record amount for October 24. The following day, London, Kentucky (1.17 inches on October 25), also measured a daily-record total. By October 26, precipitation associated with the intense low-pressure system soaked both the Midwest and East. Duluth, Minnesota (2.94 inches on October 26), endured its wettest October day on record, previously established with a 2.81-inch total on October 1, 1950). Elsewhere, daily-record amounts for October 26 included 1.81 inches in Birmingham, Alabama, and 1.40 inches in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Anniston, Alabama (2.71 inches), tallied a daily-record sum for October 27. Markedly cooler air trailed the sprawling storm system. On October 28, Alamosa, Colorado (5 degrees Fahrenheit), experienced a daily-record low. In Des Moines, Iowa, the longest growing season on record ended at 212 days (March 30 - October 27). The previous record of 211 days had been set from March 30 - October 26, 1941. Later, Jackson, Tennessee (28 degrees Fahrenheit), posted a daily record-tying low for October 30. In contrast, warmth quickly returned to the south-central United States, where Lubbock, Texas (90 degrees Fahrenheit), logged a daily-record high for October 30. National Weather Summary provided by USDA's World Agricultural Outlook Board. For more information, call (202) 720-2397. Agricultural Summary October 25 - 31, 2010 Highlights: Much of the Southwest and central and southern Great Plains were abnormally dry during the week, providing favorable harvest conditions for summer crops such as cotton and sorghum. Elsewhere, strong storm systems delivered above average precipitation to the Pacific Coast, Rocky Mountains, northern Great Plains, and much of the country east of the Mississippi River slowing fieldwork activities early in the week. On the Plains and throughout much of the Corn Belt, rebounding temperatures and mostly sunny skies allowed for late-week row crop harvesting and winter wheat seeding. Corn: Despite early-week storm systems that dumped above average precipitation on portions of the Great Plains and Midwest, drier conditions toward week's end allowed producers time to harvest 8 percent of the Nation's corn crop during the week. By October 31, ninety-one percent of this year's crop was harvested, 67 percentage points ahead of last year and 30 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average and the earliest date since 1991 that harvest surpassed the 90 percent mark. Soybeans: Nationally, soybean producers had harvested 96 percent of this year's crop by October 31, forty-six percentage points ahead of last year and 17 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. In Iowa, harvest was complete on nearly all soybean fields in the northern two-thirds of the State, while a small amount of acreage in the southern third remained standing. Winter Wheat: By week's end, 92 percent of the 2011 winter wheat crop had been seeded, 11 percentage points ahead of last year and 4 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. With mostly ideal fieldwork conditions prevailing throughout early fall, seeding was complete or nearly complete ahead of the normal pace across much of the Pacific Northwest and Great Plains. Nationwide, winter wheat emergence advanced to 73 percent by October 31, eight percentage points ahead of last year but on par with the 5-year average. While generally dry conditions in portions of the central and southern Great Plains negatively impacted the emerging winter wheat crop, recent improvements in soil moisture levels across the eastern Corn Belt boosted crop establishment. Overall, 46 percent of the winter wheat crop was reported in good to excellent condition, down slightly from ratings last week and 18 percentage points below the same time last year. Cotton: By October 31, cotton producers had harvested 61 percent of this year's crop, 34 percentage points ahead of last year and 17 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Harvest was ahead of both last year and the average pace in all estimating States except Arizona and California. In Texas, areas of the Northern High Plains experienced the first freeze of the season which left many producers waiting for dry down to begin before starting to harvest. Sorghum: Nationwide, sorghum producers had harvested 82 percent of this year's crop by week's end, 42 percentage points, or 26 days, ahead of last year and 21 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Producers throughout the central Great Plains continued to take advantage of nearly ideal fieldwork conditions, harvesting 12 percent or more of their crop during the week. Rice: By week's end, 96 percent of the Nation's rice crop was harvested, 8 percentage points ahead of last year and slightly ahead of the 5-year average. Despite producers in California harvesting 20 percent of their crop during the week, overall progress in that State remained well behind both last year and the average pace. Other Crops: Peanut producers in the major producing areas continued to harvest their crop at a rapid pace. By week's end, 78 percent of this year's crop had been harvested, 24 percentage points ahead of last year and 9 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Double-digit progress was evident in all estimating States except Florida and South Carolina where harvest was nearing completion. By October 31, sunflower producers in the four major estimating States had harvested 57 percent of their crop, 43 percentage points ahead of last year and 5 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. In North Dakota, the season's first winter storm limited fieldwork to two days during the week which caused overall progress to fall slightly behind the average pace. Sugarbeet producers in Minnesota wrapped up this year's harvest during the week, while double-digit progress was evident in Idaho and Michigan. Overall, 92 percent of the Nation's crop was harvested by October 31, twelve percentage points ahead of last year and 5 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Corn Harvested - Selected States [These 18 States harvested 94% of the 2009 corn acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State : October 31, : October 24, : October 31, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Colorado .......: 47 68 83 57 Illinois .......: 18 97 98 71 Indiana ........: 27 96 98 63 Iowa ...........: 17 86 94 56 Kansas .........: 51 93 97 79 Kentucky .......: 72 99 100 91 Michigan .......: 9 73 84 46 Minnesota ......: 11 77 87 60 Missouri .......: 48 90 94 77 Nebraska .......: 18 74 88 52 North Carolina .: 97 100 100 98 North Dakota ...: 2 55 67 45 Ohio ...........: 23 77 91 50 Pennsylvania ...: 38 63 70 60 South Dakota ...: 12 64 81 48 Tennessee ......: 86 100 100 97 Texas ..........: 91 93 94 92 Wisconsin ......: 12 66 76 43 : 18 States ......: 24 83 91 61 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Soybeans Harvested - Selected States [These 18 States harvested 95% of the 2009 soybean acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State : October 31, : October 24, : October 31, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Arkansas .......: 42 84 93 72 Illinois .......: 35 97 99 81 Indiana ........: 61 96 98 83 Iowa ...........: 53 97 99 86 Kansas .........: 54 77 88 72 Kentucky .......: 40 90 96 67 Louisiana ......: 79 96 99 94 Michigan .......: 58 92 97 78 Minnesota ......: 54 99 100 88 Mississippi ....: 64 98 99 90 Missouri .......: 32 79 90 64 Nebraska .......: 68 96 98 86 North Carolina .: 20 27 35 20 North Dakota ...: 35 98 100 82 Ohio ...........: 81 89 97 85 South Dakota ...: 49 95 98 85 Tennessee ......: 35 89 95 68 Wisconsin ......: 28 95 98 74 : 18 States ......: 50 91 96 79 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Cotton Harvested - Selected States [These 15 States harvested 99% of the 2009 cotton acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State : October 31, : October 24, : October 31, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Alabama ........: 24 68 76 60 Arizona ........: 52 25 42 48 Arkansas .......: 18 95 99 72 California .....: 61 35 36 46 Georgia ........: 21 49 63 41 Kansas .........: 1 12 27 12 Louisiana ......: 33 94 97 83 Mississippi ....: 14 96 99 75 Missouri .......: 16 96 98 68 North Carolina .: 37 59 65 53 Oklahoma .......: 19 33 49 32 South Carolina .: 43 57 64 47 Tennessee ......: 13 92 96 67 Texas ..........: 28 37 45 30 Virginia .......: 53 74 77 58 : 15 States ......: 27 53 61 44 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sorghum Harvested - Selected States [These 11 States harvested 99% of the 2009 sorghum acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State : October 31, : October 24, : October 31, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Arkansas .......: 98 100 100 99 Colorado .......: 37 45 68 47 Illinois .......: 32 84 93 69 Kansas .........: 17 72 84 50 Louisiana ......: 99 100 100 100 Missouri .......: 31 89 94 68 Nebraska .......: 9 52 78 48 New Mexico .....: 21 36 42 22 Oklahoma .......: 30 55 78 44 South Dakota ...: 40 90 95 68 Texas ..........: 71 79 80 77 : 11 States ......: 40 73 82 61 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sugarbeets Harvested - Selected States [These 4 States harvested 84% of the 2009 sugarbeet acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State : October 31, : October 24, : October 31, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Idaho ..........: 85 65 77 77 Michigan .......: 64 45 68 60 Minnesota ......: 80 99 100 94 North Dakota ...: 86 100 100 95 : 4 States .......: 80 86 92 87 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Peanuts Harvested - Selected States [These 8 States harvested 98% of the 2009 peanut acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State : October 31, : October 24, : October 31, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Alabama ........: 25 56 69 60 Florida ........: 72 84 93 85 Georgia ........: 53 66 77 69 North Carolina .: 78 62 77 87 Oklahoma .......: 48 69 80 59 South Carolina .: 83 92 97 84 Texas ..........: 51 64 78 54 Virginia .......: 91 49 74 83 : 8 States .......: 54 67 78 69 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sunflowers Harvested - Selected States [These 4 States harvested 85% of the 2009 sunflower acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State : October 31, : October 24, : October 31, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Colorado .......: 49 69 72 68 Kansas .........: 19 46 62 47 North Dakota ...: 10 43 51 53 South Dakota ...: 13 49 64 48 : 4 States .......: 14 47 57 52 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Rice Harvested - Selected States [These 6 States harvested 100% of the 2009 rice acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State : October 31, : October 24, : October 31, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Arkansas .......: 83 99 100 95 California .....: 95 55 75 91 Louisiana ......: 98 100 100 100 Mississippi ....: 84 100 100 97 Missouri .......: 77 100 100 94 Texas ..........: 100 100 100 100 : 6 States .......: 88 91 96 95 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Winter Wheat Planted - Selected States [These 18 States planted 89% of the 2010 winter wheat acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State : October 31, : October 24, : October 31, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Arkansas .......: 25 31 53 53 California .....: 43 30 33 26 Colorado .......: 99 99 99 100 Idaho ..........: 97 94 99 98 Illinois .......: 35 95 98 82 Indiana ........: 53 88 94 84 Kansas .........: 83 92 97 92 Michigan .......: 80 94 99 91 Missouri .......: 21 74 89 63 Montana ........: 96 96 99 98 Nebraska .......: 99 99 99 99 North Carolina .: 25 17 33 31 Ohio ...........: 87 90 97 91 Oklahoma .......: 83 88 93 90 Oregon .........: 90 95 98 89 South Dakota ...: 95 97 100 99 Texas ..........: 76 81 85 82 Washington .....: 99 97 99 98 : 18 States : 81 88 92 88 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Winter Wheat Emerged - Selected States [These 18 States planted 89% of the 2010 winter wheat acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State : October 31, : October 24, : October 31, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Arkansas .......: 19 8 20 34 California .....: 19 10 12 11 Colorado .......: 86 89 91 95 Idaho ..........: 69 72 81 70 Illinois .......: 19 55 77 60 Indiana ........: 20 39 56 60 Kansas .........: 69 63 75 78 Michigan .......: 43 72 88 66 Missouri .......: 16 35 56 42 Montana ........: 78 76 86 82 Nebraska .......: 94 91 92 96 North Carolina .: 4 3 10 10 Ohio ...........: 45 59 80 67 Oklahoma .......: 73 68 75 75 Oregon .........: 54 61 68 51 South Dakota ...: 84 88 91 90 Texas ..........: 58 49 59 63 Washington .....: 82 88 93 79 : 18 States ......: 65 64 73 73 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Winter Wheat Condition - Selected States: Week Ending October 31, 2010 [National crop conditions for selected States are weighted based on 2010 planted acreage] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : Very poor : Poor : Fair : Good : Excellent ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : Arkansas .......: 19 28 31 19 3 California .....: - - 5 35 60 Colorado .......: 4 21 45 29 1 Idaho ..........: 1 1 13 64 21 Illinois .......: 1 8 53 36 2 Indiana ........: 9 21 47 20 3 Kansas .........: 4 15 43 35 3 Michigan .......: - 2 22 54 22 Missouri .......: 3 10 44 42 1 Montana ........: - 5 19 69 7 Nebraska .......: 2 9 51 36 2 North Carolina .: - - 22 74 4 Ohio ...........: 1 3 31 53 12 Oklahoma .......: 1 12 56 28 3 Oregon .........: - - 36 57 7 South Dakota ...: - 1 25 60 14 Texas ..........: 11 18 36 30 5 Washington .....: - - 12 74 14 : 18 States ......: 4 12 38 40 6 : Previous week ..: 3 11 39 41 6 Previous year ..: 1 5 30 55 9 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. Pasture and Range Condition - Selected States: Week Ending October 31, 2010 [National pasture and range conditions for selected States are weighted based on pasture acreage and/or livestock inventories] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : Very poor : Poor : Fair : Good : Excellent ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : Alabama ........: 28 45 26 1 - Arizona ........: 12 12 22 36 18 Arkansas .......: 28 33 31 8 - California .....: 10 30 20 40 - Colorado .......: 2 22 48 26 2 Connecticut ....: - - 48 52 - Delaware .......: 6 20 23 50 1 Florida ........: 5 10 55 25 5 Georgia ........: 16 31 37 14 2 Idaho ..........: 2 7 36 49 6 Illinois .......: 9 17 44 26 4 Indiana ........: 57 25 15 3 - Iowa ...........: 5 13 36 38 8 Kansas .........: 7 17 37 37 2 Kentucky .......: 66 23 9 2 - Louisiana ......: 27 36 27 9 1 Maine ..........: - 23 23 54 - Maryland .......: 4 16 25 47 8 Massachusetts ..: - 5 68 21 6 Michigan .......: 1 16 36 39 8 Minnesota ......: 1 8 20 55 16 Mississippi ....: 28 41 14 17 - Missouri .......: 11 15 38 34 2 Montana ........: 2 10 40 41 7 Nebraska .......: 1 7 31 53 8 Nevada .........: 3 8 75 13 1 New Hampshire ..: 1 18 68 13 - New Jersey .....: - 5 40 50 5 New Mexico .....: 5 10 42 38 5 New York .......: 6 26 24 38 6 North Carolina .: 7 25 40 27 1 North Dakota ...: - 9 25 52 14 Ohio ...........: 7 23 42 23 5 Oklahoma .......: 8 14 46 30 2 Oregon .........: 2 11 45 38 4 Pennsylvania ...: 10 11 46 28 5 Rhode Island ...: - - - 100 - South Carolina .: 12 16 41 31 - South Dakota ...: 2 7 26 57 8 Tennessee ......: 34 32 25 9 - Texas ..........: 13 21 38 25 3 Utah ...........: 1 11 32 53 3 Vermont ........: 17 34 49 - - Virginia .......: 11 26 36 25 2 Washington .....: 14 7 28 48 3 West Virginia ..: 16 31 41 12 - Wisconsin ......: 3 10 30 49 8 Wyoming ........: 2 9 37 45 7 : 48 States ......: 11 18 34 33 4 : Previous week ..: 11 17 33 35 4 Previous year ..: (NA) (NA) (NA) (NA) (NA) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. (NA) Not available. Crop Progress and Condition Tables Expected Next Week Corn: Harvested Cotton: Harvested Peanuts: Harvested Sorghum: Harvested Sugarbeets: Harvested Sunflowers: Harvested Winter Wheat: Planted, Emerged, Condition Statistical Methodology 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 approximately 5,000 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 the progress of crops through various stages of development, as well as the progress of producer activities. 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, Saturday, and Sunday. Regardless of when questionnaires are completed, reporters are asked to report for the entire 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 2009 season, over 80 percent of the data were being submitted through the internet website. As a result, the majority 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. 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 Agricultural Statistics Board (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 4:00 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 at 12:00 pm ET on the second business day of the week. These estimates are subject to revision the following week. Information Contacts Listed below are the commodity statisticians in the Crops Branch of the National Agricultural Statistics Service to contact for additional information. E-mail inquiries may be sent to nass@nass.usda.gov Lance Honig, Chief, Crops Branch........................... (202) 720-2127 Jacqueline Moore, Head, Field Crops Section................ (202) 720-2127 Suzanne Avilla - Peanuts, Rice........................ (202) 720-7688 Bryan Durham - Hay, Oats.............................. (202) 690-3234 Steve Maliszewski - Cotton, Cotton Ginnings, Sorghum.. (202) 720-5944 Anthony Prillaman - Corn, Proso Millet, Flaxseed...... (202) 720-9526 Nick Schauer - Wheat, Rye............................. (202) 720-8068 Julie Schmidt - Crop Weather, Barley, Sugar Crops..... (202) 720-7621 Travis Thorson - Soybeans, Sunflower, Other Oilseeds.. (202) 720-7369 Access to NASS Reports For your convenience, you may access NASS reports and products the following ways: All reports are available electronically, at no cost, on the NASS web site: http://www.nass.usda.gov Both national and state specific reports are available via a free e- mail subscription. To set-up this free subscription, visit http://www.nass.usda.gov and in the "Receive NASS Updates" box under "Receive reports by Email," click on "National" or "State" to select the reports you would like to receive. Printed reports may be purchased from the National Technical Information Service (NTIS) by calling toll-free (800) 999-6779, or (703) 605-6220 if calling from outside the United States or Canada. Accepted methods of payment are Visa, MasterCard, check, or money order. For more information on NASS surveys and reports, call the NASS Agricultural Statistics Hotline at (800) 727-9540, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET, or e-mail: nass@nass.usda.gov. 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