The October 2010 crop production forecast from the National Agricultural Statistics Service in Sacramento, Calif.

Cotton

American Pima cotton production in California is forecast at 450,000 bales, unchanged from last month’s forecast, and up 25 percent from the 2009 crop. Harvested acreage is estimated at 184,000 acres resulting in a yield of 1,174 pounds per acre.

Upland cotton is forecast at 380,000 bales, down 3 percent from last month’s forecast, and up 58 percent from last year. With harvested acreage of 123,000, the resulting yield is 1,483 pounds per acre.

As of early October, cotton fields were in the final stages of harvest preparation.

Grapes

Production of all grape varieties for the 2010 season is forecast at 6.15 million tons, down 3 percent from the August forecast, and down 6 percent from last season.

Wine-type variety grape production for California is forecast at 3.3 million tons, down 6 percent from the August forecast, and down 12 percent from last year.

The table-type grape production is expected to total 900,000 tons, unchanged from the August forecast, and up 3 percent from last year. The California raisin-type variety grape forecast is 1.95 million tons, unchanged from the August forecast, and up 1 percent from 2009.

The 2010 California grape crop is around two weeks behind normal due to the cool and wet spring. Bunch counts were reported stronger than last year, although development has been slow.

Mildew has been a problem for many growers due to the cooler weather. The European grapevine moth remains a concern, mainly because of quarantines.

Oranges

The 2010-2011 California orange crop is forecast at 121 million cartons.

California’s Navel orange forecast is 93 million cartons. The 2010-2011 navel crop continued to develop slightly behind schedule as harvest is expected to begin in late-October to early-November. Despite delayed development, a very large crop is expected.

California’s Valencia orange forecast is 28 million cartons.

Other forecasts

Grapefruit - 7.6 million cartons;

Lemons - 42 million cartons;

Tangerines and mandarins - 20 million cartons.

Pecan production – 4 million pounds, up 2 percent;

Corn for grain production – 764,000 tons, down 5 percent;

Alfalfa hay - 6.32 million tons, down 9 percent;

Other hay - 2.13 million tons, up 27 percent;

Dry edible beans - 1.39 million cwt., down 8 percent;

Rice - 44.7 million cwt., down 6 percent from last year;

Sunflowers - 44.4 million pounds, down 13 percent.

Production forecasts are released on a monthly basis and do not reflect final production estimates. Late summer and fall harvests may change these estimates considerably.

The next production forecast will be issued Nov. 9, 2010.