Crop progress report 0719: Warm, dry weather arrived in Washington

From NASS There were 6.8 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington last week, up from 6.6 the previous week. Island, San Juan and Skagit counties reported that crops did well with the warm, dry weather last week. Most forage crops were still standing. Harvest was delayed due to the previous unpredictable weather. Haylage producers were busy. Livestock were still on pasture, but on many farms with well drained soils, pastures were drying up. Low lying areas with seasonably wet soils began to show growth. CSA vegetables and cane fruit production looked good as bountiful harvests moved into local food hubs and farmer’s markets. Irrigation water was adequate for most farms pulling from pond sources that filled over the winter. In Yakima County, late maturing cherries trickled in. Blueberry, peach and nectarine harvest started. Snap peas, green beans, summer squash and sweet corn were found at roadside stands. Tomato flowers and some green tomatoes could be seen in the fields. Hops were flowering. It was hot and dry in Pend Oreille and Spokane counties. Lincoln County had above average temperatures, and winter wheat harvest started in the very southwest corner of the county last week. Adams County reported that corn and dry beans benefitted from the warmer day and nighttime temperatures. Winter wheat harvest started on the western edge of the county. A few farms also started harvesting in Asotin and Garfield counties.

Washington crop conditions:

Winter wheat: 0% very poor 2% poor 18% fair 41% good 39% excellent Spring wheat: 0% very poor 6% poor 9% fair 50% good 35% excellent Barley: 0% very poor 6% poor 8% fair 49% good 37% excellent Oats: 0% very poor 0% poor 4% fair 63% good 33% excellent Dried edible peas: 0% very poor 1% poor 11% fair 58% good 30% excellent

Washington crop progress:

Spring wheat headed: 95% this week 89% last week 99% last year 99% 5-year average Winter wheat harvested: 5% this week 2% last week 7% last year 16% 5-year average Oats headed: 73% this week 67% last week 76% last year 63% 5-year average Dry edible peas harvested 13% this week 7% last week 11% last year 22% 5-year average Alfalfa hay 2nd cutting: 68% this week 46% last week 82% last year 76% 5-year average