Crop progress report 0628: Winter wheat started to turn gold in Eastern Washington

From NASS There were 6.6 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington last week, up from 6.3 the previous week. The Puget Sound had continued rain and sunshine with warmer days and nights. Field conditions in western Washington were wet, but improving. The standing water in low areas from last week evaporated this week. Green grain fields turned yellow. Weed control for organic crops was poor. Some corn fields were replanted, while others had not yet been sprayed for weeds. Raspberry harvest started in Whatcom County. Blueberries were ripening and corn was growing well with the warmer conditions. CSA farmers in San Juan County started to irrigate crops. Livestock were on pasture, and berry crops were sizing up. Kiwifruit were finishing their bloom. Second cuttings of alfalfa were underway in Snohomish County for silage and baleage. The moisture and cooler temperatures in Okanogan and Ferry counties helped the small grain crops, but held back the canola crop progress. Low-elevation grasses burned off early in the spring, but mid- and high-elevation grasses were flourishing with the wet conditions. A late spring freeze in Klickitat County left wheat heads short and empty. Daytime temperatures in Yakima County were in the high 90s earlier in the week and then dropped to the 70s on Sunday. Cherry and raspberry harvest was in full swing. Green peas, onions, green beans and summer squashes were growing. Pend Oreille and Spokane counties were hot and dry. Producers in Adams County struggled with the windy conditions. The wind caused some stress for the plants and delayed spraying. Weather conditions were favorable for wheat, barley and peas. Cooler temperatures hampered sweet corn, field corn, dry bean, snap bean and seed crop development. The hay crop in Columbia and Walla Walla counties was in good condition, but the alfalfa crop was not keeping up. Winter wheat started to turn color. All wheat and barley crops were heading out.

Washington crop conditions:

Winter wheat: 0% very poor 2% poor 14% fair 61% good 23% excellent Spring wheat: 0% very poor 6% poor 9% fair 64% good 21% excellent Barley: 0% very poor 6% poor 7% fair 64% good 23% excellent Oats: 0% very poor 0% poor 8% fair 64% good 28% excellent Dried edible peas: 0% very poor 0% poor 9% fair 78% good 13% excellent

Washington crop progress:

Spring wheat headed: 73% this week 59% last week 75% last year 80% 5-year average Barley headed: 81% this week 75% last week 66% last year 73% 5-year average Oats emerged: 95% this week 89% last week 75% last year 82% 5-year average Oats headed: 49% this week 43% last week 9% last year NA 5-year average Alfalfa hay 1st cutting: 94% this week 88% last week 97% last year NA 5-year average Alfalfa hay 2nd cutting: 7% this week 3% last week 46% last year 39% 5-year average