HDR1012000110010311970830CROP PRODUCTION HDR2012000110010311970830HIGHLIGHTS & SUMMARY Crop Production National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released March 11, 1997, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. For information on "Crop Production" call (202) 720-2127, office hours 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. Record Large Orange Production All oranges production for the 1996-97 season is forecast at a record large 12.5 million tons, up 1 percent from the previous forecast in February and up 7 percent from a year ago. This year's crop is 6 percent larger than the previous record of 11.8 million tons set in the 1979-80 season. Florida's production amounts to 222 million boxes (9.99 million tons), 1 percent more than February's forecast and 9 percent above last season. Early and mid-season varieties are expected to produce 135 million boxes (6.08 million tons), 2 percent above last month and 11 percent above last year. Florida's Valencia crop forecast remained 87.0 million boxes (3.92 million tons), 6 percent above last season's crop. Florida frozen concentrated orange juice (FCOJ) yield for the 1996-97 season is forecast at 1.54 gallons per box at 42.0 degrees Brix, unchanged from February. The forecast projects the final yield as reported by the Florida Citrus Processors Association. The final 1995-96 yield for all fruit used in FCOJ was 1.52 gallons per box at 42.0 degrees Brix. The projected average yield for 1996-97 early and midseason varieties is 1.52 gallons per box, up from last month's forecast of 1.50 gallons per box and from last season's final of 1.45. Valencia yield is projected at 1.60 gallons per box, unchanged from last month and down from 1.67 last season. Cr Pr 2-2 (3-97) Crop Summary: Production, United States, 1995-96 and Forecasted 1996-97 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Utilized Production :---------------------------------------------------- Crop : : Feb 1, : Mar 1, : : 1997 : 1997 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Crop Year 1/ : 1995-96 1996-97 1996-97 : : 1,000 Tons Citrus Fruits : Oranges : 11,723 12,452 12,542 Grapefruit : 2,718 3,064 3,056 Lemons 2/ : 992 988 988 Tangerines : 348 424 428 Temples (FL) : 97 113 113 Tangelos (FL) : 110 180 180 K-Early Citrus (FL) : 7 7 7 : : Metric Tons : Oranges : 10,634,930 11,296,260 11,377,910 Grapefruit : 2,465,730 2,779,610 2,772,360 Lemons 2/ : 899,930 896,300 896,300 Tangerines : 315,700 384,650 388,280 Temples (FL) : 88,000 102,510 102,510 Tangelos (FL) : 99,790 163,290 163,290 K-Early Citrus (FL) : 6,350 6,350 6,350 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ Crop year begins with the bloom of the first year and ends with the completion of harvest the following year. 2/ Estimates for 1996-97 carried forward from January 1. This report was approved on March 11, 1997, by the Secretary of Agriculture and the National Agricultural Statistics Service's Agricultural Statistics Board. Secretary of Agricultural Statistics Board Agriculture Chairperson Dan Glickman Rich Allen Crop Summary: Area Planted and Harvested, United States, 1995-96 (Domestic Units) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Area Planted : Area Harvested Crop :---------------------------------------------------- : 1995 : 1996 : 1995 : 1996 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : 1,000 Acres : : Sugarcane for : Sugar and Seed : 932.3 887.5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Crop Summary: Yield per Acre and Production, United States, 1995-96 (Domestic Units) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Yield per Acre : Production Crop and Unit :--------------------------------------------------- : 1995 : 1996 : 1995 : 1996 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ----- Tons ------- ----- 1,000 Tons ----- : Sugarcane for : Sugar and Seed : 33.0 32.9 30,796 29,224 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Crop Summary: Area Planted and Harvested, United States, 1995-96 (Metric Units) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Area Planted : Area Harvested Crop :---------------------------------------------------- : 1995 : 1996 : 1995 : 1996 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Hectares : : Sugarcane for : Sugar and Seed : 377,290 359,160 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Crop Summary: Yield per Hectare and Production, United States, 1995-96 (Metric Units) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Yield per Hectare : Production Crop :---------------------------------------------------- : 1995 : 1996 : 1995 : 1996 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Metric Tons : Sugarcane for : Sugar and Seed : 74.05 73.82 27,937,660 26,511,570 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ HDR2012000110010311970830STATE TABLES Citrus Fruits: Utilized Production by Crop, State, and United States, 1995-96 and Forecasted March 1, 1997 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Utilized Production : Utilized Production : Boxes : Ton Equivalent Crop and State :----------------------------------------------------------- : 1994-95 : 1995-96 : 1996-97 : 1994-95 : 1995-96 : 1996-97 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ------ 1,000 Boxes 2/ ----- ------- 1,000 Tons ------- Oranges : Early Mid & : Navel 3/ : AZ 4/ : 400 700 550 15 27 21 CA 4/ : 35,000 38,000 39,000 1,313 1,426 1,463 FL : 119,700 121,200 135,000 5,387 5,454 6,075 TX : 950 830 1,300 40 35 55 US : 156,050 160,730 175,850 6,755 6,942 7,614 Valencia : AZ 4/ : 650 950 850 24 36 32 CA 4/ : 21,000 28,000 26,000 788 1,051 975 FL : 85,800 82,000 87,000 3,861 3,690 3,915 TX : 105 110 150 4 4 6 US : 107,555 111,060 114,000 4,677 4,781 4,928 All : AZ 4/ : 1,050 1,650 1,400 39 63 53 CA 4/ : 56,000 66,000 65,000 2,101 2,477 2,438 FL : 205,500 203,200 222,000 9,248 9,144 9,990 TX : 1,055 940 1,450 44 39 61 US : 263,605 271,790 289,850 11,432 11,723 12,542 Temples : FL : 2,550 2,150 2,500 114 97 113 Grapefruit : White Seedless : FL : 25,700 23,200 26,500 1,092 986 1,126 Colored Seedless : FL : 28,700 28,100 31,500 1,220 1,194 1,339 Other : FL : 1,300 1,050 1,000 55 45 43 All : AZ 4/ : 1,400 1,200 1,000 47 40 34 CA 4/ 5/ : Desert : 3,300 111 Other Areas : 6,000 201 Total : 9,300 8,100 9,000 312 271 302 FL : 55,700 52,350 59,000 2,367 2,225 2,508 TX : 4,650 4,550 5,300 186 182 212 US : 71,050 66,200 74,300 2,912 2,718 3,056 Tangerines : AZ 4/ : 650 1,000 750 25 38 28 CA 4/ : 2,500 2,600 2,700 94 97 101 FL : 3,550 4,500 6,300 168 213 299 US : 6,700 8,100 9,750 287 348 428 Lemons 4/ : AZ : 3,600 5,100 4,000 137 194 152 CA : 20,000 21,000 22,000 760 798 836 US : 23,600 26,100 26,000 897 992 988 Tangelos : FL : 3,150 2,450 4,000 142 110 180 K-Early Citrus : FL : 120 160 150 5 7 7 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Citrus Fruit Footnotes 1/ The crop year begins with the bloom of the first year shown and ends with the completion of harvest the following year. 2/ Net lbs. per box: oranges-AZ & CA-75, FL-90, TX-85; grapefruit-AZ & CA-67, FL-85, TX-80; lemons-76, tangelos, K-Early Citrus & Temples-90; tangerines-AZ & CA-75, FL-95. 3/ Navel and miscellaneous varieties in AZ and CA. Early and mid-season varieties in FL and TX, including small quantities of tangerines in TX. 4/ Estimates for current year carried forward from earlier forecast. 5/ California Desert and Other Areas Grapefruit forecasts combined to All Grapefruit beginning in 1995-96. Papayas: Area and Fresh Production, by Month, Hawaii, 1996-97 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area : Fresh Production :-------------------------------------------------------------------- Month : Total in Crop : Harvested : : :----------------------------------------------: 1996 : 1997 : 1996 : 1997 : 1996 : 1997 : : -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --------------- Acres -------------- -- 1,000 Pounds -- : Jan : 3,765 3,435 2,365 1,495 3,575 3,280 Feb : 3,720 3,530 2,265 1,495 3,530 3,145 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sugarcane: Area Harvested, Yield, and Production by Use, State, and United States, 1995-96 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Use : Area Harvested : Yield 1/ : Production 1/ and :----------------------------------------------------------------- State : 1995 : 1996 : 1995 : 1996 : 1995 : 1996 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 Acres ----- Tons ---- --- 1,000 Tons -- : For Sugar : FL : 417.0 420.0 34.6 34.0 14,445 14,280 HI 2/ : 48.5 40.0 81.5 81.9 3,953 3,276 LA 2/ : 368.0 335.0 25.6 27.0 9,421 9,045 TX 2/ : 41.2 34.2 32.4 26.6 1,336 910 : US : 874.7 829.2 33.3 33.2 29,155 27,511 : For Seed : FL : 20.0 20.0 33.9 34.0 677 680 HI 2/ : 4.5 3.0 26.0 26.0 117 78 LA 2/ : 32.0 35.0 25.6 27.0 819 945 TX 2/ : 1.1 .3 25.5 32.0 28 10 : US : 57.6 58.3 28.5 29.4 1,641 1,713 : For Sugar : and Seed : FL : 437.0 440.0 34.6 34.0 15,122 14,960 HI 2/ : 53.0 43.0 76.8 78.0 4,070 3,354 LA 2/ : 400.0 370.0 25.6 27.0 10,240 9,990 TX 2/ : 42.3 34.5 32.2 26.7 1,364 920 : US : 932.3 887.5 33.0 32.9 30,796 29,224 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Net tons. 2/ Current estimates carried forward from earlier forecast. HDR2012000110010311970830NARRATIVE February Weather Summary: A string of dynamic storms traversed the southern branch of a split jet stream, resulting in February- record rainfall in parts of Texas and giving the West Coast a much-needed break from heavy precipitation. Significant precipitation virtually eliminated dryness that developed during December from southern Nebraska to central Texas, boosting prospects for winter wheat. The North Central States, bracing for near-record to record flooding during the spring, gained a reprieve from more than 3 months of bitterly cold, windy, snowy weather. In fact, temperatures ranged from normal to above normal east of the Rocky Divide, with departures reaching +6 to +8 degrees F from the Ohio Valley to the Middle Atlantic States. Monthly temperatures averaged within a few degrees of normal across the West. Soil conditions across most of Texas quickly changed from dry to saturated. For example, the Trinity River at Dallas crested at 7.51 feet above flood stage on February 13, 7.19 feet above on February 21, and 5.19 feet above on February 26. The month's final two major storms (February 18-22 and 23-27) charted similar courses out of the Southwest, crossing Texas before lifting toward the Great Lakes States. The first system dumped 2 to 4 inches of rain from central Texas to lower Michigan, including a February-record, 24-hour total of 3.05 inches in Grand Rapids, MI. In the Midwest, the rain fell on partially frozen soils, enhancing runoff. As a result, the Rock River at Joslin, IL crested at an all- time-record 6.77 feet above flood stage on February 23. On February 26-27, the latter system dumped 1 to 3 inches of rain from the middle Mississippi Valley to the northern Middle Atlantic States, including the north side of the Ohio River drainage basin. At month's end, yet another powerful storm took form over the Southwest, ensuring a stormy, flood-ridden start to March in the Ohio Valley. As mentioned, several February rainfall records were broken in Texas: Location Total (Inches) Former Record/Year Waco 7.91 6.92 in 1992 Dallas-Ft. Worth 7.40 6.96 in 1945 San Angelo 4.54 4.45 in 1987 For the third consecutive month, a monthly precipitation record was established in Alpena, MI, where the 3.88-inch total included a February-record 50.3 inches of snow. Alpena's season-to-date snowfall reached 149.0 inches by month's end, less than 20 inches shy of their all-time record. February snowfall topped 30 inches at a few other locations from the Great Lakes States to northern New England, including Gaylord, MI (39.4 inches) and Caribou, ME (30.2 inches). Farther west, only light snow fell across the northern Plains and upper Midwest. Monthly snowfall included 8.0 inches in Fargo, ND and 2.9 inches in St. Cloud, MN. In Iowa, however, totals approached 20 inches in Dubuque (19.3 inches) and Cedar Rapids (18.5 inches). Late in the month, very heavy snow blanketed the Southwest, lifting monthly totals to 22.9 inches in Flagstaff, AZ and 14.6 inches in Alamosa, CO. On February 27-28, 49 inches buried southern Arizona's Mt. Lemmon in 48 hours. In contrast, a nearly snow-free winter continued in the Northeast, although monthly snowfall of 4.4 inches in Newark, NJ and 7.1 inches in Baltimore, MD more than doubled season-to-date totals. Due to the prevailing storm track, the South and East experienced more than 100 daily-record highs, most after mid-month. February-record warmth dotted the East on February 21, 22, and 27: Location Temperature (degrees F)/Date Former Record/Year Rochester, NY 73 on February 21 70 on February 11, 1932 Buffalo, NY 70 on February 21 68 on February 11, 1932 Vero Beach, FL 89 on February 22 88 in 1994 and earlier Albany, NY 68 on February 22 67 in 1976 Florence, SC 86 on February 27 85 on February 27, 1996 Harrisburg, PA 78 on February 27 75 in 1954 and 1985 Bridgeport, CT 67 on February 27 67 on Feb. 26 & 28, 1976 In addition, the high of 67 degrees F (on the 22nd) in Concord, NH was their warmest in February since a reading of 68 degrees F on February 27, 1880. Temperatures failed to dip below 20 degrees F during the month in Philadelphia, PA, their first such occurrence in February since 1957. Arctic air almost completely disappeared, locked over eastern Canada by the northern branch of the jet stream. On February 13, daily-record cold brushed Michigan, where Houghton Lake noted -22 degrees F; 4 days later, Caribou, ME also notched -22 degrees F. Toward month's end, cool air overspread the West in the wake of the major storms, lowering readings below 0 degrees F in some high- elevation locations. In Nevada, Ely logged a daily-record low (-9 degrees F) on February 28. In California and Nevada, recovery from the New Year's flood progressed under favorably dry conditions. In the Sierra Nevada foothills, only 1.77 inches (18 percent [%] of normal) fell at Blue Canyon, CA. Blue Canyon had received 75.35 inches (329% of normal) in December and January, and 90.66 inches (263% of normal) since October 1, 1996. Little or no moisture was added to the Sierra Nevada's high-elevation snowpack, leaving the snow's water equivalent at about 115% of normal by month's end. Dry weather also prevailed across most of Florida, where totals included 0.46 inches in Daytona Beach and 0.66 inches in Tampa. Farther west, however, monthly rainfall topped 8 inches in locations such as Montgomery, AL (8.04 inches) and Shreveport, LA (8.09 inches). On the Plains, monthly precipitation reached 2.11 inches in Oklahoma City, 2.18 inches in Wichita, KS, 2.86 inches in Wichita Falls, TX, accounting for more than 80% of the respective December 1, 1996, to February 28, 1997, totals. General Crop Comments: February conditions were more favorable for farm activities than in January. Weather conditions moderated somewhat in the north central area of the Country. Warmer temperatures and a let-up in the heavy snowfall allowed producers to continue their dig-out and combat further losses from winter stress on livestock. High water has been reported in local areas and there is a fear of severe flooding when the heavy snow pack begins to melt. The central and southern Plains received beneficial moisture and conditions of winter wheat improved. Generally, the winter wheat crop was reported to be in good to excellent condition. Very little winter kill and wind damage has been reported. Most winter wheat areas ended the month with little snow cover. In Kansas the winter wheat crop is ready to break dormancy. An area covering most of the southeast and extending north through the Ohio Valley received extensive rainfall causing heavy flooding in the Ohio Valley. Field work in preparation for spring planting was delayed in many areas. Significant delays are also expected in Arkansas. By the end of the month some spring field crops had been planted along the Gulf Coast and in Florida. Peach trees were in bloom in the deep South. Field activities in California returned to full swing in most areas. Some localized areas remained flooded, but the open, warm weather allowed soils to dry and field operations to resume. Some Sacramento Valley wheat fields still showed signs of stress from the earlier flooding. In Florida the sugarcane harvest was winding down. Growers were preparing to start tobacco trans- planting. Field preparations for spring planting crops were active. Harvest of early and mid-season oranges was about over. Freeze damaged Valencias were going to processors rapidly. Grapefruit harvest was very active on the lower east coast. During the month, livestock remained under stress in many areas due to the weather and unusually wet conditions. Muddy conditions and the winter temperatures made lambing and calving difficult. Losses were running above normal. Demand for feed remained high adding pressure to an already short feed supply. Grapefruit: The March 1 forecast of the 1996-97 U.S. grapefruit crop is a record large 3.06 million tons, down less than 1 percent from last month's forecast but 12 percent larger than last year. This year's crop exceeds the previous record of 3.032 million tons in the 1976-77 season. The Florida all grapefruit forecast is a record large 59.0 million boxes (2.51 million tons), unchanged from the last forecast but 13 percent more than last season. The all seedless grapefruit forecast is 58.0 million boxes. The seedy (Duncan) grapefruit forecast is continued at 1.0 million boxes. Fruit size increased from last month but at a very slow rate. Average fruit sizes for all varieties are near the historic mean but are much smaller than the extremely large sizes seen in the past two seasons. Fruit drop from unharvested trees in the Indian River area continues to be the lowest in many seasons. However, fruit drop in the interior is increasing in groves affected by the January 19, 1997 freezing weather. The March 1 row count survey, conducted February 26-27, indicated the lowest percent of rows fully harvested in many seasons. Recorded utilization, including an allocation for gift fruit, is lagging the previous seasons to March 1 with only an estimated 8.70 million boxes of white seedless harvested. Last season, about 12.0 million boxes were utilized. Colored varieties utilization is estimated at 17.3 million boxes compared to over 18.0 million last year. The Florida forecasts are based on objective fruit counts and measurement surveys in relationship to the harvest patterns and utilization of the past two seasons. All citrus forecasts project certified utilization including a preseason allocation of less than two percent for unrecorded usage. Certifications include only fruit actually shipped in fresh pack or recorded at a processing plant. The Texas grapefruit forecast is 5.30 million boxes (212,000 tons), 4 percent below last month's forecast but 16 percent above last season's production. California's forecast is carried forward from January at 9.00 million boxes (302,000 tons), 11 percent above last season. Arizona's forecast is also carried forward at 1.00 million boxes (34,000 tons), 17 percent below last year. Tangelos: Florida's 1996-97 tangelo forecast is 4.00 million boxes (180,000 tons), unchanged from last month's forecast, but 63 percent more than last season's crop. Harvest was near completion with more than 3.90 million boxes utilized. This is the largest harvested tangelo crop since 1987-88. Tangerines: The 1996-97 U.S. tangerine crop is forecast at a record large 428,000 tons, up 1 percent from February and 23 percent higher than last season. The 1995-96 crop of 348,000 tons was the previous record large crop. Florida's tangerine forecast is up 2 percent from last month to 6.30 million boxes (299,000 tons), 40 percent more than 1995-96. Droppage has been extremely low even with the freezing temperatures of January 19, 1997. Early tangerine harvest was virtually complete, and almost 1.10 million boxes of the later Honey tangerines were used through February. The Arizona and California tangerine forecasts were carried forward from January 1. Temples: The 1996-97 forecast of Florida temples remains at 2.50 million boxes (113,000 tons), 16 percent above last season. Through February, almost 1.70 million boxes were picked. February surveys indicate fruit sizes are near average and droppage is low. Droppage has increased following the January 19, 1997 freezing weather. Most utilization is to processing plants. Florida Citrus: Groves in Florida were in very good condition through most of February. Rainfall generally was below normal except for the east coast counties where there were regular weekly rains. Growers in most of the citrus belt depended on all types of irrigation to maintain good tree condition as new growth and bloom buds formed on trees of all ages the last part of the month. Most of the trees that lost foliage following the January 19, 1997 freeze produced new growth, and some of those trees began blooming. Harvest of early and mid-season oranges was very active the first three weeks of February and then declined as supplies ran low. Movement of cold damaged Valencias to the processors was limited to the isolated areas affected by the January freeze. Grapefruit harvest during February was very busy on the lower east coast. Temple and Honey tangerine harvest was steady in all areas of the citrus belt during the month for both fresh and processed use. A little more than 132 million boxes of early and mid-season oranges, including Navels, were utilized through February. Valencia harvest totaled a little more than 6 million boxes. Texas Citrus: Harvest moved ahead with little interruption during February. Growers needed rainfall to alleviate a shortage of irrigation water. Orange trees showed a good bloom across the Rio Grande Valley. California Citrus: Harvest of citrus gained momentum during February with the mild weather. Picking of grapefruit in the desert area continued with good grades. Lemon harvest was active throughout the state. Packing grades were fair to good. Wind scar, brown rot, and sunburn were among the problems reported. The navel orange harvest continued slightly behind normal with approximately half of the crop picked by March 1. Sizes were large with good to excellent grades. Some scar, brown rot, thrips, and puff were reported. Valencia orange harvest began in the desert area in mid-February with smooth texture and good color. Tangerine picking continued with good to excellent quality. California Fruits and Nuts: Rains from January left some orchards and vineyards under water through the first part of February. Dry weather throughout February permitted cultural activities including pruning, controlling weeds, and dormant spraying. Almond blossom peaked in late February. Other fruits and nuts were in various stages of bloom. Papayas: Hawaii fresh papaya production is estimated at 3.15 million pounds for February, 4 percent lower than January and 11 percent lower than a year ago. Weather conditions during February were mixed. Mostly favorable conditions during the first three weeks were followed by gusty winds in the last week. The gusty winds caused leaf shredding and some trees to snap or uproot. Isolated pockets of heavy damage were reported. Papaya ringspot virus continued to lower yields in infected fields. Area devoted to papaya production totaled 3,530 acres, 3 percent higher than January, but 5 percent lower than February 1996. Harvested area, totaling 1,495 acres, was unchanged from last month, but 34 percent lower than a year ago. Sugarcane: The 1996 production of sugarcane for sugar and seed is expected to total 29.2 million tons. This is unchanged from the last forecast published in the February "Crop Production" report, but represents a 5 percent decrease from last year's output. The Florida forecast was evaluated and resulted in no change in production. The forecast for Hawaii, Louisiana, and Texas were carried forward from previous reports. Dry weather during the sugarcane harvest allowed 3 Florida mills to finish on schedule in early March. Some cane was planted later than normal in early March. The previous freeze scorched the top leaves in some fields, but in other areas killed the entire top stopping any further growth. It was too early to determine if the freeze caused any permanent damage to next seasons crop. Some sugarcane that was just coming-up was killed back to the ground. Most mills reported that sugar content was high, but juice content tapered off at the end of the season, possible due to the previous freeze. Report Features The next "Crop Production" report will be released at 8:30 a.m. ET on April 11, 1997. Listed below are the commodity specialists in the Crops Branch of the National Agricultural Statistics Service to contact for additional information. C. Ray Halley, Chief (202) 720-2127 Field Crops Section Bill Dowdy, Head (202) 720-3843 Kevin Barnes - Soybeans, Minor Oilseeds (202) 720-7369 Dan Kerestes - Corn (202) 720-9526 Roger Latham - Cotton, Cotton Ginnings (202) 720-5944 Joel Moore - Barley, Hay, Sorghum (202) 690-3234 Greg Preston - Sugar Crops, Weekly Crop Weather, Oats (202) 720-7621 Barbara Rater - Peanuts, Rice, Tobacco (202) 720-7688 Vaughn Siegenthaler - Wheat, Rye (202) 720-8068 Fruit, Vegetable & Special Crops Section Vince Matthews, Head (202) 720-3843 Arvin Budge - Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes (202) 720-4285 Howard Hill - Cherries, Berries, Prunes, Plums, Cranberries, Grapes, Maple Syrup (202) 720-7235 Linda McMillan - Nuts, Floriculture (202) 720-4215 Dave Mueller - Fresh and Processing Vegetables, Onions (202) 720-2157 Linda Simpson - Noncitrus Fruits, Mint, Dry Beans & Peas, Mushrooms, Hops (202) 690-0270 Blair Smith - Citrus, Tropical Fruits (202) 720-5412 The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in its programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, and marital or familial status. 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