Crop progress report 0603: Areas of Washington received rain, while other remained thirsty

From NASS There were 6.7 days suitable for field work last week. Pasture and range conditions were reported at 1 percent poor, 20 percent fair, 71 percent good and 8 percent excellent. A low temperature of 35 degrees F was reported in the central and northeast regions, while a high temperature of 93 degrees F was also reported in the southeast region. Statewide temperature differential ranged from 2 degrees below to 8 degrees above normal. King, Whatcom, Kitsap, Mason, Pierce and Thurston counties received rain this last week, while Island, San Juan, Pacific and Skagit Counties craved more rain. Strawberries in Snohomish and Whatcom counties began to ripen. The second cutting of grass was heavier and faster than normal due to increased heat units. This past May set a record in Jefferson County for being the driest month. Despite this set back, planting season there caught up to average. San Juan County reported that pastures were in boot stage, but some were browning due to lack of moisture. Winter wheat and cherry crops were maturing well in Chelan and Douglas counties. Klickitat County had its first cutting of hay dried and baled quickly. However, instances of alfalfa weevil continued to be a concern. Wheat and barley crops had strong growth this last week due to the warm weather. Local cherries were in markets. Shoot training was underway in vineyards and fungal sprays were applied. Orchard grass, alfalfa, mixed hay and timothy were in windrows in Kittitas County. Sweet cherry harvest started in Yakima County. Apple growers thinned their crops. Hop vines were more than halfway up trellis systems. While asparagus harvest was winding down, snap pea and summer squash harvest started. Cuttings for alfalfa and timothy in Franklin County were underway. Beans and corn were planted; green peas were harvested. Most winter wheat in Adams and Lincoln counties was in good condition, however a few fields have been sprayed for stripe rust. Producers in Douglas County sprayed for cabbage seedpod weevil in canola fields and pea weevil in pea fields. The Palouse received thunderstorms and spotty showers. Wheat and barley began to head out.

Washington crop conditions:

Winter wheat: 0% very poor 1% poor 10% fair 66% good 23% excellent Spring wheat: 0% very poor 0% poor 24% fair 63% good 13% excellent Barley: 0% very poor 0% poor 19% fair 79% good 2% excellent Oats: 0% very poor 5% poor 21% fair 74% good 0% excellent

Washington crop progress:

Spring wheat emerged: 93% this week 91% last week 86% last year 97% 5-year average Spring wheat headed: 11% this week 2% last week 1% last year 10% 5-year average Winter wheat headed: 70% this week 45% last week 47% last year 64% 5-year average Barley emerged: 83% this week 77% last week 82% last year 95% 5-year average Barley headed: 6% this week 1% last week 2% last year 8% 5-year average Oats planted: 96% this week 90% last week 72% last year NA 5-year average Oats emerged: 73% this week 63% last week 43% last year NA 5-year average Oats headed: 20% this week 10% last week 2% last year NA 5-year average Dry peas emerged: 82% this week 74% last week 81% last year NA 5-year average Alfalfa hay 1st cutting: 81% this week 38% last week 57% last year 62% 5-year average