Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin ISSN: Released October 26, 2010, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). National Weather Summary October 17 - 23, 2010 Highlights: A more active weather pattern evolved across the United States, gradually closing a window of opportunity for autumn fieldwork. Dry weather continued through week's end, however, in the Southeast, allowing harvest activities to proceed but causing further drought expansion and intensification. Farther north, Midwestern corn and soybean harvest activities neared completion in many areas until late-week showers slowed fieldwork. However, rain also aided recently planted winter wheat in drought-affected portions of the eastern Corn Belt. Meanwhile on the southern Plains, pastures and winter wheat benefited from rain that totaled an inch or more in much of Oklahoma and northern Texas. On October 21, however, thunderstorms and large hail adversely affected a small portion of the cotton crop in western Texas. Elsewhere, a stormier weather pattern in the West limited fieldwork but signaled the onset of the 2010-11 wet season. Precipitation was generally welcomed in the Southwest, which faces the prospect of below-normal winter precipitation due to the evolution of La Niņa. Warmth prevailed across the South early in the week and again at week's end. On October 17, Hot Springs, Arkansas (86 degrees Fahrenheit), notched a daily-record high. Later, Greenwood, Mississippi (87 degrees Fahrenheit), collected a daily-record high for October 23. Elsewhere, scattered daily-record lows were mostly confined to the Northwest, where Meacham, Oregon (19 degrees Fahrenheit), posted a daily-record low for October 18. On October 22, enough cold air swept into the Northeast to produce a trace of snow in locations such as Rochester, New York, and Scranton, Pennsylvania, and as much as 1 to 3 inches at several other spots across the interior Northeast. As stormier weather began to unfold, several long-running dry spells came to an end, while other areas remained dry. In Wisconsin, La Crosse's longest spell without measurable precipitation since April 10 - May 9, 1980, ended at 29 days (September 24 - October 22). La Crosse received 1.48 inches of rain on October 23-24. Meanwhile, Quincy, Illinois, experienced its driest October 1-23 period on record, with only 0.01 inch recorded. No rain fell in Jacksonville, Florida, during the first 23 days of the month, leaving that city with a chance to break its October record for dryness (0.08 inch in 1909). In contrast, Reno, Nevada, set an October record with 2.20 inches of precipitation (previously, 2.14 inches in 1945). In southern California, Barstow-Daggett's month-to-date total through October 23 climbed to 1.10 inches, just shy of the October 1983 standard of 1.15 inches. Selected daily-record precipitation totals in California for October 19 included 1.49 inches in Sandberg, 0.81 inch in San Diego, 0.66 inch in Barstow-Daggett, and 0.38 inch in Palm Springs. During the mid- to late-week period, precipitation expanded into the Nation's midsection. In western Texas, Lubbock netted 2.57 inches of rain on October 21-22. In the vicinity of Lubbock, hail up to 1.75 inches in diameter was reported on October 21 in Lubbock, Terry, and Yoakum Counties. Later, daily-record precipitation totals for October 23 included 2.51 inches in San Angelo, Texas, and 1.71 inches in Rockford, Illinois. Heavy precipitation also began to overspread the Northwest, where Eugene, Oregon, measured a daily-record total (1.23 inches) for October 23. Near- to above-normal temperatures prevailed in Alaska, along with widespread, but generally light, precipitation. On October 21, Bethel posted a daily record-tying high of 49 degrees Fahrenheit. Meanwhile, weekly rainfall reached 2.99 inches on Annette Island, boosting its October 1-23 total to 17.55 inches (172 percent of normal). Farther south, warm weather accompanied scattered showers in Hawaii. On October 23, both Honolulu, Oahu (89 degrees Fahrenheit), and Lihue, Kauai (86 degrees Fahrenheit), tallied daily record-tying highs. Meanwhile on the Big Island, Hilo's year-to-date rainfall stood at 42.09 inches (43 percent of normal), despite a weekly total of 2.39 inches. On Oahu, 3.80 inches of rain soaked the Manoa Lyon Arboretum in a 24-hour period on October 18-19. National Weather Summary provided by USDA's World Agricultural Outlook Board. For more information, call (202) 720-2397. Agricultural Summary October 18 - 24, 2010 Highlights: Warm temperatures dominated much of the Nation during the week, with averages reaching as many as 8 degrees above normal throughout portions of the Delta and central and southern Great Plains. Warm, dry weather across the Midwest promoted the continued rapid harvest of corn and soybeans. Elsewhere, warm temperatures in the Northwest aided the establishment of recently seeded small grain crops. Late-week thunderstorms delivered some much needed rainfall to areas in the Great Plains, while many producers in the Southeast were waiting for additional moisture before seeding their winter wheat and cover crops. Corn: Nationally, producers had harvested 83 percent of this year's corn crop by week's end, 63 percentage points ahead of last year and 34 percentage points, or 16 days ahead of the 5-year average. Harvest was most rapid in Minnesota and the Dakotas, where producers utilized 6 days suitable for fieldwork to combine 30 percent or more of their crop during the week. In Iowa, the largest corn-producing State, harvest advanced to 86 percent complete by October 24, the quickest pace since 2000. Soybeans: By week's end, soybean harvest had advanced to 91 percent complete, 49 percentage points ahead of last year and 19 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Harvest activities neared completion throughout the Midwest as mild, mostly dry weather continued to dominate the region. Twelve of the 18 major estimating States were 44 points or more ahead of last year and 16 points or more ahead of normal. Winter Wheat: Producers seeded 8 percent of the 2011 winter wheat crop during the week, leaving progress, at 88 percent complete, 11 percentage points ahead of last year and 4 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Some producers in the Southeast were waiting for needed rainfall before continuing with crop seeding. Double-digit crop emergence was evident across much of the major producing areas during the week. By October 24, emergence had advanced to 64 percent complete, 5 percentage points ahead of last year but on par with the 5-year average. Thunderstorms delivered much needed rainfall to winter wheat fields on portions of the southern Plains, boosting topsoil moisture and aiding crop establishment. Overall, 47 percent of the winter wheat crop was reported in good to excellent condition, 15 percentage points below the same time last year. Cotton: With warm, sunny weather prevailing throughout much of the major cotton-producing areas of the country during the week, harvest advanced at the quickest pace since 2001. By October 24, fifty-three percent of the cotton crop was harvested, 34 percentage points ahead of last year and 17 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. In Texas, above average rainfall hampered harvest progress in portions of the High Plains, while isolated fields in the Northern Low Plains were reported as a total loss due to hail damage. Overall, 53 percent of the cotton crop was reported in good to excellent condition, down slightly from ratings last week but 9 percentage points better than the same time last year. Sorghum: Nationwide, 97 percent of the sorghum crop was at or beyond the mature stage by week's end, 18 percentage points ahead of last year and 11 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Harvest advanced 11 points during the week to 73 percent complete by October 24, thirty-six percentage points ahead of last year and 19 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. In Kansas, sunny skies and dry conditions continued to promote the quickest harvest pace since 2001. Rice: By October 24, rice producers had harvested 91 percent of this year's crop, 7 percentage points ahead of last year but 2 percentage points behind the 5-year average. In California, harvest in the Sacramento Valley continued at a rapid pace early during the week, but was halted by weekend rains. Additionally, strong winds flattened some fields. Other Crops: By week's end, 67 percent of the peanut crop had been dug, 23 percentage points ahead of last year and 10 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. In Georgia, dry, hard-packed soils in portions of the State prevented producers from digging their crop. Nationally, 47 percent of the sunflower crop was harvested by week's end, 36 percentage points ahead of last year and 13 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Harvest in the four major estimating States was 25 points or more ahead of last year and 10 points or more ahead of normal. By October 24, sugarbeet producers had harvested 86 percent of this year's crop, 20 percentage points ahead of last year and 11 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average, and the quickest harvest pace since estimates began in 2000. Harvest in Minnesota and North Dakota was complete or nearly complete well ahead of both last year and the average. Corn Harvested - Selected States [These 18 States harvested 94% of the 2009 corn acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State : October 24, : October 17, : October 24, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Colorado .......: 42 53 68 45 Illinois .......: 14 93 97 63 Indiana ........: 20 90 96 51 Iowa ...........: 12 66 86 39 Kansas .........: 47 89 93 72 Kentucky .......: 65 98 99 87 Michigan .......: 6 60 73 33 Minnesota ......: 6 47 77 41 Missouri .......: 43 84 90 71 Nebraska .......: 15 50 74 38 North Carolina .: 93 100 100 96 North Dakota ...: 2 22 55 29 Ohio ...........: 16 64 77 36 Pennsylvania ...: 31 53 63 51 South Dakota ...: 9 34 64 33 Tennessee ......: 80 99 100 94 Texas ..........: 87 89 93 90 Wisconsin ......: 8 50 66 31 : 18 States ......: 20 68 83 49 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Soybeans Harvested - Selected States [These 18 States harvested 95% of the 2009 soybean acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State : October 24, : October 17, : October 24, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Arkansas .......: 37 71 84 63 Illinois .......: 30 90 97 75 Indiana ........: 48 90 96 73 Iowa ...........: 46 94 97 80 Kansas .........: 47 61 77 61 Kentucky .......: 33 75 90 55 Louisiana ......: 72 92 96 91 Michigan .......: 48 84 92 68 Minnesota ......: 43 96 99 83 Mississippi ....: 59 95 98 87 Missouri .......: 27 58 79 52 Nebraska .......: 62 89 96 78 North Carolina .: 16 15 27 14 North Dakota ...: 25 90 98 76 Ohio ...........: 69 80 89 76 South Dakota ...: 39 85 95 77 Tennessee ......: 31 79 89 58 Wisconsin ......: 23 86 95 63 : 18 States ......: 42 83 91 72 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Cotton Harvested - Selected States [These 15 States harvested 99% of the 2009 cotton acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State : October 24, : October 17, : October 24, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Alabama ........: 16 58 68 45 Arizona ........: 46 22 25 39 Arkansas .......: 14 87 95 65 California .....: 34 10 35 28 Georgia ........: 14 34 49 31 Kansas .........: - 8 12 6 Louisiana ......: 28 88 94 78 Mississippi ....: 10 92 96 69 Missouri .......: 12 82 96 61 North Carolina .: 22 39 59 38 Oklahoma .......: 11 30 33 20 South Carolina .: 31 41 57 37 Tennessee ......: 7 82 92 57 Texas ..........: 20 26 37 25 Virginia .......: 38 44 74 43 : 15 States ......: 19 41 53 36 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ - Represents zero. Cotton Condition - Selected States: Week Ending October 24, 2010 [National crop conditions for selected States are weighted based on 2009 planted acreage] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : Very poor : Poor : Fair : Good : Excellent ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : Alabama ........: 10 25 39 25 1 Arizona ........: - 9 18 36 37 Arkansas .......: 1 5 28 45 21 California .....: - - 10 50 40 Georgia ........: 11 20 35 29 5 Kansas .........: 1 3 27 61 8 Louisiana ......: 1 14 30 51 4 Mississippi ....: 3 9 28 45 15 Missouri .......: 11 20 27 35 7 North Carolina .: 3 14 34 43 6 Oklahoma .......: - 14 44 36 6 South Carolina .: 3 14 28 49 6 Tennessee ......: 1 4 27 58 10 Texas ..........: 2 10 31 41 16 Virginia .......: 25 32 27 16 - : 15 States ......: 4 12 31 39 14 : Previous week ..: 4 11 30 42 13 Previous year ..: 11 14 31 36 8 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. Sorghum Mature - Selected States [These 11 States planted 98% of the 2009 sorghum acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State : October 24, : October 17, : October 24, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Arkansas .......: 100 100 100 100 Colorado .......: 89 98 99 91 Illinois .......: 88 92 93 95 Kansas .........: 83 94 97 86 Louisiana ......: 100 100 100 100 Missouri .......: 87 96 100 93 Nebraska .......: 86 94 95 91 New Mexico .....: 44 63 65 50 Oklahoma .......: 58 91 96 73 South Dakota ...: 93 99 100 96 Texas ..........: 74 94 97 86 : 11 States ......: 79 94 97 86 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sorghum Harvested - Selected States [These 11 States harvested 99% of the 2009 sorghum acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State : October 24, : October 17, : October 24, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Arkansas .......: 94 100 100 98 Colorado .......: 29 26 45 35 Illinois .......: 24 76 84 61 Kansas .........: 13 55 72 39 Louisiana ......: 99 100 100 100 Missouri .......: 27 74 89 61 Nebraska .......: 8 28 52 34 New Mexico .....: 14 25 36 14 Oklahoma .......: 26 49 55 38 South Dakota ...: 26 85 90 55 Texas ..........: 70 74 79 76 : 11 States ......: 37 62 73 54 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Peanuts Harvested - Selected States [These 8 States harvested 98% of the 2009 peanut acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State : October 24, : October 17, : October 24, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Alabama ........: 23 45 56 49 Florida ........: 59 77 84 74 Georgia ........: 42 51 66 58 North Carolina .: 64 31 62 74 Oklahoma .......: 33 40 69 43 South Carolina .: 73 80 92 72 Texas ..........: 43 52 64 40 Virginia .......: 72 20 49 66 : 8 States .......: 44 52 67 57 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sugarbeets Harvested - Selected States [These 4 States harvested 84% of the 2009 sugarbeet acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State : October 24, : October 17, : October 24, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Idaho ..........: 64 38 65 55 Michigan .......: 36 35 45 34 Minnesota ......: 69 91 99 87 North Dakota ...: 78 95 100 90 : 4 States .......: 66 75 86 75 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sunflowers Harvested - Selected States [These 4 States harvested 85% of the 2009 sunflower acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State : October 24, : October 17, : October 24, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Colorado .......: 44 65 69 57 Kansas .........: 14 28 46 35 North Dakota ...: 8 24 43 33 South Dakota ...: 9 31 49 32 : 4 States .......: 11 29 47 34 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Rice Harvested - Selected States [These 6 States harvested 100% of the 2009 rice acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State : October 24, : October 17, : October 24, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Arkansas .......: 78 98 99 92 California .....: 93 30 55 87 Louisiana ......: 97 100 100 99 Mississippi ....: 75 100 100 94 Missouri .......: 69 100 100 90 Texas ..........: 100 100 100 100 : 6 States .......: 84 87 91 93 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Winter Wheat Planted - Selected States [These 18 States planted 89% of the 2010 winter wheat acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State : October 24, : October 17, : October 24, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Arkansas .......: 24 20 31 41 California .....: 32 10 30 19 Colorado .......: 98 98 99 99 Idaho ..........: 93 87 94 94 Illinois .......: 30 75 95 74 Indiana ........: 40 67 88 74 Kansas .........: 79 86 92 87 Michigan .......: 70 89 94 83 Missouri .......: 19 54 74 50 Montana ........: 94 90 96 96 Nebraska .......: 97 98 99 98 North Carolina .: 16 10 17 19 Ohio ...........: 74 83 90 83 Oklahoma .......: 76 78 88 84 Oregon .........: 86 80 95 80 South Dakota ...: 92 95 97 98 Texas ..........: 75 73 81 78 Washington .....: 97 94 97 95 : 18 States : 77 80 88 84 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Winter Wheat Emerged - Selected States [These 18 States planted 89% of the 2010 winter wheat acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State : October 24, : October 17, : October 24, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Arkansas .......: 12 5 8 20 California .....: 12 2 10 8 Colorado .......: 82 73 89 89 Idaho ..........: 59 58 72 56 Illinois .......: 10 27 55 43 Indiana ........: 10 21 39 42 Kansas .........: 63 50 63 69 Michigan .......: 32 55 72 51 Missouri .......: 13 18 35 30 Montana ........: 72 61 76 73 Nebraska .......: 85 81 91 91 North Carolina .: 3 1 3 6 Ohio ...........: 32 38 59 51 Oklahoma .......: 65 51 68 66 Oregon .........: 48 44 61 42 South Dakota ...: 79 77 88 84 Texas ..........: 56 41 49 57 Washington .....: 79 78 88 73 : 18 States ......: 59 51 64 64 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Winter Wheat Condition - Selected States: Week Ending October 24, 2010 [National crop conditions for selected States are weighted based on 2010 planted acreage] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : Very poor : Poor : Fair : Good : Excellent ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : Arkansas .......: 15 42 29 14 - California .....: - - 5 20 75 Colorado .......: 3 18 48 28 3 Idaho ..........: - 1 6 84 9 Illinois .......: 1 6 43 47 3 Indiana ........: 13 19 45 21 2 Kansas .........: 2 13 43 39 3 Michigan .......: - 1 19 59 21 Missouri .......: 4 12 43 40 1 Montana ........: - - 22 69 9 Nebraska .......: - 7 53 36 4 North Carolina .: 5 10 40 40 5 Ohio ...........: - 4 29 53 14 Oklahoma .......: 2 16 51 28 3 Oregon .........: - - 33 62 5 South Dakota ...: - 1 31 57 11 Texas ..........: 12 17 42 24 5 Washington .....: - - 11 79 10 : 18 States ......: 3 11 39 41 6 : Previous week ..: (NA) (NA) (NA) (NA) (NA) Previous year ..: 1 4 33 53 9 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. (NA) Not available. Pasture and Range Condition - Selected States: Week Ending October 24, 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 ........: 32 44 23 1 - Arizona ........: 19 14 24 30 13 Arkansas .......: 28 27 33 10 2 California .....: 10 20 15 55 - Colorado .......: 2 20 47 29 2 Connecticut ....: 11 13 41 35 - Delaware .......: 7 22 35 35 1 Florida ........: 3 15 51 30 1 Georgia ........: 19 30 37 12 2 Idaho ..........: 1 11 38 50 - Illinois .......: 12 18 40 27 3 Indiana ........: 57 25 14 4 - Iowa ...........: 5 12 31 42 10 Kansas .........: 5 17 35 41 2 Kentucky .......: 61 26 10 3 - Louisiana ......: 26 36 28 9 1 Maine ..........: 2 5 19 74 - Maryland .......: 4 17 24 48 7 Massachusetts ..: - 3 71 23 3 Michigan .......: 1 19 35 39 6 Minnesota ......: 1 6 25 53 15 Mississippi ....: 46 37 13 4 - Missouri .......: 4 15 38 38 5 Montana ........: 2 6 37 48 7 Nebraska .......: 2 4 26 60 8 Nevada .........: 4 9 77 9 1 New Hampshire ..: 3 16 48 33 - New Jersey .....: - 5 35 55 5 New Mexico .....: 6 14 28 45 7 New York .......: 3 24 24 42 7 North Carolina .: 12 24 39 23 2 North Dakota ...: - 7 27 54 12 Ohio ...........: 9 22 41 22 6 Oklahoma .......: 8 18 42 29 3 Oregon .........: 3 15 55 25 2 Pennsylvania ...: 8 20 43 27 2 Rhode Island ...: - - 16 84 - South Carolina .: 17 17 38 28 - South Dakota ...: 1 10 28 51 10 Tennessee ......: 40 31 21 8 - Texas ..........: 9 18 40 29 4 Utah ...........: 3 16 31 48 2 Vermont ........: 5 54 41 - - Virginia .......: 16 28 37 19 - Washington .....: 14 5 25 54 2 West Virginia ..: 19 36 34 11 - Wisconsin ......: 3 9 29 45 14 Wyoming ........: 2 10 38 43 7 : 48 States ......: 11 17 33 35 4 : Previous week ..: 10 18 32 35 5 Previous year ..: 8 13 30 41 8 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. Crop Progress and Condition Tables Expected Next Week Corn: Harvested Cotton: Harvested Pasture and Range: Condition Peanuts: Harvested Rice: Harvested Sorghum: Harvested Soybeans: 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. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, political beliefs, genetic information, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377- 8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.