HDR1012000140080830961500Walnut Production Released August 30, 1996, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. For information on "Walnut Production" call Linda McMillan at (202) 720-4215, office hours 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET. For assistance with general agricultural statistics, information about NASS, its products or services, contact the NASS Information Hotline at 1-800-727-9540 or E-mail: NASS@NASS.USDA.GOV. Walnut Production Down 6 Percent The 1996 California walnut production forecast is 220,000 tons, down 6 percent from last year's production and also 6 percent below July's initial crop forecast. This level is based on the Walnut Objective Measurement Survey conducted July 22 through August 18, 1996. Survey data indicated an average nut set per tree of 1,630, down 8 percent from 1995's average of 1,777 nuts. The Hartley average nut set was down 19 percent, the Serr, up 44 percent, and the Franquette, virtually unchanged from the previous year. Of the nuts sampled, 94.4 percent were sound. In-shell weight per nut was 22.1 grams, while the average in-shell suture measurement was 32.3 millimeters. The average length in-shell was 39.0 millimeters. Heavy drop was reported as a result of winter's low chilling hours and the rain received during May. Temperatures were very high from late July through mid-August, and there have been reports of heavy sunburn damage. Objective measurement samples do not show sunburn damage to be abnormal, but some damage may have occurred after the samples were taken. Walnuts: Bearing Acreage, Yield, and Utilized Production California, 1994-95 and Forecasted 1996 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Bearing Acreage : Yield per Acre State :----------------------------------------------------------- : 1994 : 1995 : 1996 : 1994 : 1995 : 1996 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ---------- Acres ---------- --------- Tons --------- : CA : 171,000 169,000 169,000 1.36 1.38 1.30 :----------------------------------------------------------- : Utilized Production :----------------------------------------------------------- : 1994 : 1995 : 1996 :----------------------------------------------------------- : Tons : CA (In-shell basis) : 232,000 234,000 220,000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fr Nt 6 (8-96) The "Walnut Production" report is being discontinued. In 1997, these data will be released in the September "Crop Production" report. 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. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the USDA Office of Communications at (202) 720-5881 (voice) or (202) 720-7808 (TDD). To file a complaint, write the Secretary of Agriculture, USDA, Washington, D.C., 20250, or call (202) 720-7327 (voice) or (202) 720-1127 (TDD). USDA is an equal employment opportunity employer. SUBSCRIBE TODAY!! For your convenience, there are several ways to obtain NASS reports, data products, and services: INTERNET ACCESS All NASS reports are now available free of charge on the worldwide Internet. For access, connect to the Internet and select: 1. Worldwide Web: http://www.usda.gov/nass/ OR 2. For Gopher/Telenet/FTP access: HOST=usda.mannlib.cornell.edu OR 3. For a subscription direct to your e-mail address, send an e-mail message to: usda-reports@usda.mannlib.cornell.edu and in the body of the message type the word: list AUTOFAX ACCESS NASSFax service is available for some reports from your fax machine. Please call 202-720-2000, using the handset attached to your fax. Respond to the voice prompts. PRINTED REPORTS OR DATA PRODUCTS CALL OUR TOLL-FREE ORDER DESK: 1-800-999-6779 (U.S. and Canada) Other areas, please call l-703-834-0125 FAX: 1-703-834-0110 (Visa, MasterCard, check, or money order acceptable for payment.) ASSISTANCE For assistance with general agricultural statistics or further information about NASS or its products or services, contact the NASS INFORMATION HOTLINE at 1-800-727-9540, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or e-mail: NASS@NASS.USDA.GOV.