Crop progress report 0526: Cool temps, late May precipitation surprised Washington growers

From NASS There were 5.5 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington last week, up from 5.2 the previous week. Forecasted rain was well received in Jefferson, Island, San Juan and Clallam counties, where concerns of summer drought arose. Jefferson, Island, San Juan and Clallam counties received up to half an inch of rain, yet crops still showed signs of browning out. Gov. Inslee declared drought in the North Olympic Peninsula, and growers planned to begin irrigation early. First haylage cuttings were completed by San Juan County growers. CSA farms in San Juan County planted vegetables, and early produce matured, while orchardists thinned fruit trees. Rain in Snohomish and King counties delayed planting. Grass in Snohomish County progressed well, where most growers completed their first cutting. Though standing water was present in parts of Snohomish and King counties, concerns about summer moisture mounted. Early strawberries ripened in Snohomish County. Vegetables were in the ground in Snohomish County, although some melons had yet to be planted. In Klickitat County, the cool temperatures and precipitation delayed alfalfa cutting. Pastures were green. The moisture also caused spring crops in Klickitat County to emerge quicker than expected. Some areas of winter wheat were patchy in Lincoln County. In Douglas County, Cabbage Seedpod Weevil problems were reported. Whitman County received sparse rain.

Washington crop conditions:

Winter wheat: 0% very poor 5% poor 34% fair 49% good 12% excellent Spring wheat: 0% very poor 0% poor 39% fair 51% good 10% excellent Barley: 0% very poor 0% poor 29% fair 48% good 23% excellent

Washington crop progress:

Spring wheat planted: 96% this week 87% last week 97% last year 99% 5-year average Spring wheat emerged: 77% this week 69% last week 89% last year 92% 5-year average Winter wheat headed: 22% this week 10% last week 44% last year 46% 5-year average Barley planted: 83% this week 77% last week 94% last year 97% 5-year average Barley emerged: 62% this week 55% last week 76% last year 86% 5-year average Oats planted: 70% this week 65% last week 88% last year NA 5-year average Oats emerged: 37% this week 34% last week 58% last year NA 5-year average Dry peas planted: 87% this week 78% last week 95% last year 94% 5-year average Dry peas emerged: 62% this week 51% last week 73% last year NA 5-year average Alfalfa hay 1st cutting: 33% this week 1305% last week 37% last year 44% 5-year average