Crop Progress Report 07/23: State continues to be in a dry spell amid harvest

There were 7 days suitable for field work last week. Pasture and range conditions were reported at 10 percent very poor, 12 percent poor, 33 percent fair, 44 percent good and 1 percent excellent. A low temperature of 38 degrees F was reported in the northeast region. A high temperature of 102 was reported in the southeast region. Statewide differentials ranged from 5 degrees below normal to 6 degrees above normal. Throughout the state, warmer than normal temperatures were reported along with a lack of precipitation. A wet spring this year was followed by a dry summer which has started to leave a negative impact on producers. Most counties claimed that their pastures were dried out and were having issues with regrowth due to the lack of rain. Some livestock producers had to start feeding out old hay in order to supplement feed. Despite pasture condition declining, livestock were doing well throughout the state. Klickitat County reported that a few producers will be able to get a third cutting of alfalfa in the next couple of weeks. Despite a lack of moisture, corn throughout the state looked good and didn’t show signs of stress. Fruit crops were doing well throughout the state. Blackberries and blueberries especially looked good and large in size. Snohomish County reported that pumpkins were coming along well though they were still small in size. Tomatoes started to show some color in the early varieties. Dry pea harvest began throughout the state with no reported issues on condition. Douglas County reported that its canola harvest had begun. Winter wheat continued to be harvested. Columbia and Walla Walla counties received reports from producers that the winter wheat yields were high due to the moisture content from the wet spring. In contrast, Klickitat County had a few early reports of lower than expected yields due to a lack of moisture. Overall, Washington has been warmer and drier than normal which has been concerning to both livestock and crop producers throughout the state.

Washington crop conditions:

Winter wheat: 1% very poor 2% poor 14% fair 68% good 15% excellent Spring wheat: 3% very poor 20% poor 37% fair 39% good 1% excellent Barley: 2% very poor 11% poor 47% fair 39% good 1% excellent Oats: 0% very poor 4% poor 69% fair 26% good 1% excellent Dry, edible peas: 0% very poor 15% poor 25% fair 58% good 2% excellent

Washington crop progress:

Spring wheat headed: 97% this week 93% last week 100% last year 99% 5-year average Spring wheat harvested: 2% this week NA last week 2% last year 6% 5-year average Winter wheat harvested: 18% this week 8% last week 21% last year 24% 5-year average Barley headed: 99% this week 90% last week 99% last year 99% 5-year average Oats headed: 89% this week 54% last week 93% last year NA 5-year average Oats harvested: 1% this week NA last week 24% last year NA 5-year average Dry peas harvested: 30% this week 1% last week 37% last year 30% 5-year average Alfalfa hay 2nd cutting: 80% this week 68% last week 79% last year 62% 5-year average Alfalfa hay 3rd cutting: 13% this week 7% last week 21% last year NA 5-year average